Meditation for Stress Relief

If you are looking for a way to manage your stress, consider the practice of meditation. Meditation refers to a state where your body and mind are consciously relaxed and focused. Some benefits of this practice are increased awareness, focus, and concentration, as well as a more positive outlook in life.

Sometimes when you think of meditation, you think of monks and mystics. However, you don’t have to be a monk or mystic to enjoy its benefits. And you don’t even have to be in a special place to practice it. Your bedroom floor is as good a place as any, or any other place you can get some uninterrupted space.

The most important principle of meditation is clearing the mind. You are working toward removing obstructive, negative, and wandering thoughts and fantasies. The mind needs to be calmed with a deep sense of focus.

The negative thoughts you have – noisy neighbors, fighting children, stress about money, etc. – are said to contribute to the ‘polluting’ of the mind. Meditation trains you to shut out these thoughts and allow for the ‘cleansing’ of the mind so that it may focus on deeper, more meaningful thoughts.

Reducing sensory input – sight, sound, touch – may help you to detach from the commotion around you. Focus on a deep, profound thought. This is harder than it sounds if you are accustomed to an over-stimulating environment. Learn to allow yourself to be quiet, even in the midst of chaos.

It isn’t necessary to fold yourself into painful-looking contortions. The goal here is to be in a comfortable position conducive to concentration. This may be while sitting cross-legged, standing, or even walking. Be careful of trying to meditate while lying down. You may fall asleep!

While sitting or standing, the back should be straight, but not tense or tight. Avoid slouching or falling asleep. Loose, comfortable clothes will help you relax. The place you perform meditation should have a soothing atmosphere. It could be in your living room, or bedroom, or any place that you can deliberately practice staying quiet and focused. Try not to be interrupted by the ringing of the phone or the humming of the washing machine. Aromatic candles may help soothe you.

Focusing on repeated actions such as breathing, and humming in a monotone will eventually help you to enter a higher state of consciousness. Try focusing on a certain object or thought. Keep your eyes open and focus on a single sight such as a candle flame or rose.

One sample routine would be to – while in a meditative state – silently name every part of you body and focusing your consciousness on that part. While doing this you should be aware of any tension on any part of your body. Mentally visualize releasing this tension. It works wonders.

Meditation will lead to relief from stress, but don’t expect instant results. This is an art that requires practice. In essence, you are training your body and mind to focus and detach from stress. It will be well worth the effort to learn this ancient discipline.