Meditation is a great way to relieve stress.  When you meditate, your body is able to enter a fully relaxed state.  Your muscles relax, your mind is cleared of negative thoughts, and all of the stress will temporarily leave you as you enter deep relaxation.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need complete quiet to meditate.  You also don’t need to hum or chant, so you can meditate anywhere, even in your office at work.  All you need is a few minutes to be able to sit in a semi-relaxing position and close your eyes.

Let’s take a look at one method for meditation:

  1. Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor and your arms resting limply, your hands upside down in your lap.
  2. Close your eyes.
  3. Feel your muscles.  Pay very close attention to how they all feel.
  4. Slowly start releasing the tension in your head.  Feel those muscles relax.
  5. Breathe slowly, but regularly.  Pay attention to your breathing.
  6. Now start relaxing the muscles in your neck and shoulders.  Feel them relax.
  7. Move the relaxation down your arms, into your hands and fingers.  Let them go limp.
  8. Let your abdomen relax.  Feel those muscles release their tension.
  9. Move the relaxation down to your thighs, then your calves, and finally into your feet and toes.
  10. Notice every muscle in your body and relax any muscles where you feel tension.

Once you feel you’ve relaxed your entire body, just concentrate on your breathing.  Try to clear your mind of thoughts for a while.  After you feel your mind is completely relaxed, you can start to thing relaxing thoughts.  Think of waterfalls, or the ocean.  Think of fishing on a calm lake, or relaxing by the pool.  Whatever you think is most relaxing, let those thoughts fill your mind.

It only takes about 5-10 minutes of meditation to clear away your stress for a while, so try to find time during your day to take the time to meditate.  You’ll notice a difference very quickly!