Stress can show up in any form, at any time - and it can be easy to succumb to it. Concerns such as school, friends, finances, family and our jobs can make life seem overwhelming - and sometimes it can be!
Stress is bad enough in and of itself, but stress can also cause real physical and emotional harm if it is allowed to grow unchecked. So what can be done to make sure stress does not take hold of us?
One of the best and most tried and true ways of reducing stress is through meditation. Though it may sound intimidating, weird, or something just for kooks - meditation has actually occurred in every culture in one form or another throughout history - so it's much more standard than you might think. The following steps will help you learn to clear your mind and relax, and you will be amazed at how the stress seems to just melt away!
Begin each relaxation time by reducing distractions, noise, and interruptions. Give yourself the time and privacy you need. Find a comfortable sitting position, wear loose and comfortable clothing. Relax and take several deep breathes. Close your eyes and try to mentally focus on one peaceful word, thought, or image.
Think about sounds, memories, or ideas that tend to give you a feeling of calm, or ease, then try and mentally hold on to that particular item. For some, a vision of healing light can be very soothing. For others, the sound of gently crashing waves can lull them into a state of relaxation. Whatever your mental picture, clear your mind of anything else, allow your muscles to surrender completely, and completely ignore anything that may pull your focus away. Enjoy the peace you are creating for yourself.
Pay full attention to the image and the serene calm it brings you for as long as possible. And while you could force the image to stay, it's better to just let it slip away once your concentration starts to break. Allow yourself to come back to reality by deeply exhaling and extending your muscles. Congratulate yourself, because you've now meditated - and it was a lot simpler than you thought, wasn't it?
This simple exercise is very effective because it allows you to reset your mental state. This is also the launching point for many other, more complex meditation exercises that will give you even more relaxation, and by practicing often you will gradually learn to sustain a meditative state. Once you've mastered it, you may want to take it to the next level by going deeper into the meditative trance.
You will always want to start any stress reduction exercise with this basic meditative and relaxed state. You may also wish to concentrate on whatever phrases help you relax. Saying "nice and easy" or "all is well" are good generic examples of phrases that help to relax us and calm the mind.
So find a phrase and an image that works for you, and then practice every time you're feeling worried, anxious or stressed. This simple meditation technique is a great way to relax, and will do more to improve your health and reduce stress than anything else, and the only side effect is a calmer and healthier life as a result of your improved mood!
Stress is bad enough in and of itself, but stress can also cause real physical and emotional harm if it is allowed to grow unchecked. So what can be done to make sure stress does not take hold of us?
One of the best and most tried and true ways of reducing stress is through meditation. Though it may sound intimidating, weird, or something just for kooks - meditation has actually occurred in every culture in one form or another throughout history - so it's much more standard than you might think. The following steps will help you learn to clear your mind and relax, and you will be amazed at how the stress seems to just melt away!
Begin each relaxation time by reducing distractions, noise, and interruptions. Give yourself the time and privacy you need. Find a comfortable sitting position, wear loose and comfortable clothing. Relax and take several deep breathes. Close your eyes and try to mentally focus on one peaceful word, thought, or image.
Think about sounds, memories, or ideas that tend to give you a feeling of calm, or ease, then try and mentally hold on to that particular item. For some, a vision of healing light can be very soothing. For others, the sound of gently crashing waves can lull them into a state of relaxation. Whatever your mental picture, clear your mind of anything else, allow your muscles to surrender completely, and completely ignore anything that may pull your focus away. Enjoy the peace you are creating for yourself.
Pay full attention to the image and the serene calm it brings you for as long as possible. And while you could force the image to stay, it's better to just let it slip away once your concentration starts to break. Allow yourself to come back to reality by deeply exhaling and extending your muscles. Congratulate yourself, because you've now meditated - and it was a lot simpler than you thought, wasn't it?
This simple exercise is very effective because it allows you to reset your mental state. This is also the launching point for many other, more complex meditation exercises that will give you even more relaxation, and by practicing often you will gradually learn to sustain a meditative state. Once you've mastered it, you may want to take it to the next level by going deeper into the meditative trance.
You will always want to start any stress reduction exercise with this basic meditative and relaxed state. You may also wish to concentrate on whatever phrases help you relax. Saying "nice and easy" or "all is well" are good generic examples of phrases that help to relax us and calm the mind.
So find a phrase and an image that works for you, and then practice every time you're feeling worried, anxious or stressed. This simple meditation technique is a great way to relax, and will do more to improve your health and reduce stress than anything else, and the only side effect is a calmer and healthier life as a result of your improved mood!
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