| Do you remember seeing comedy shows or skits | | | | even when you're not meditating. This means that |
| when you were young where someone is | | | | meditation will not only help you unwind at the end |
| practicing meditation. There was usually one | | | | of a stressful day, it can also leave you more |
| person closing their eyes and "ohm"ing while the | | | | peaceful and less stressed during your long day at |
| other person tried to imitate them or simply | | | | work. |
| made snide remarks. While we used to look upon | | | | The best part about meditation is, unlike yoga, it |
| meditation as being funny, ridiculous, or just plain | | | | requires no special physical skills. While good |
| odd; we now know about all the benefits it has to | | | | meditation requires mental skills, you can start |
| offer. Originally, meditation was used to focus and | | | | small and build your way up as you get more |
| gain religious knowledge. Now, it is commonly used | | | | practice. Here's how to get started. |
| to reduce stress and live longer, happier, healthier | | | | * Find a quiet room and sit in a comfortable |
| lives. | | | | position. There is no specific "better" position, just |
| So why is mediation so helpful for relieving | | | | one where you feel comfortable and can relax. |
| stress? First of all, it helps focus the mind on | | | | * Close your eyes and relax your muscles. Do this |
| something that is deeply and spiritually rooted. By | | | | by focusing on each individual muscle, starting at |
| focusing on one thing, you're forced to forget the | | | | the feet and working your way up. Focus on the |
| world around you and all the stressors that come | | | | stress leaving each muscle as it relaxes. |
| with it. By closing your eyes and sitting in a quiet | | | | * Begin to breathe slowly while you repeat your |
| room, you also filter out the sights and sounds | | | | mantra. This can be anything from the traditional |
| that may stress you. Meditation also helps repair | | | | "ohm" to something you find personally important. |
| the physical and mental damage caused by stress. | | | | If you are religious or spiritual, you can chant |
| The chemicals present in your body actually | | | | something related to your beliefs. |
| change during meditation making you more | | | | * If you find your mind wandering, don't beat |
| relaxed and peaceful. | | | | yourself up about it; simply remain calm and |
| The relaxing benefits from above are only the | | | | return to your focus word. |
| short term benefits Those factors are only | | | | * After 15 to 20 minutes, you can stop |
| successful in filtering out stress that you've | | | | meditating and sit quietly for a few minutes |
| already experienced and making you relaxed | | | | before you return to your regular life. |
| during and after your meditating. The real benefit | | | | By doing this regularly, you will train your mind and |
| of meditation is its longer term effects. | | | | body to be more relaxed, peaceful and focused. |
| If practiced on a daily basis, meditation can | | | | You will find this not only affects your stress |
| actually balance the levels of hormones and other | | | | levels, but also your physical and mental |
| stress related chemicals on a day-to-day basis; | | | | functioning. |