Have you ever considered meditation for stress relief? It is easy to let stress take over your life. From career to family to health to money to any and everything in between, most people feel like there simply isn’t enough time in a day to get everything done.
Stress is bad enough in and of itself, but stress can also cause real physical and emotional problems if it is allowed to go unchecked. There are many pharmaceuticals that are designed to reduce stress, but is putting extra drugs and chemicals in your system really the best way to balance things out? There is a better way to reduce stress in your life.
One of the best and most tried and true ways for reducing stress is through meditation. Though it may sound intimidating, meditation has occurred in every culture in one form or another through out history. 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 breaths.
Close your eyes and try to mentally focus on one peaceful word, thought, or image. If there is a picture, a memory, anything that tends to calm you, try to picture that.
For some people it’s the sound of the ocean (that’s my favorite!), for others waterfalls, and for yet others, the memory of staring at a mountain peak. Clear your head, and let your muscles loosen up, don’t worry about what is going on around you. Relax and enjoy the peace that your image brings to you.
When you feel yourself drifting away from the image, don’t force it to stay. This is a good time to stop.
Stretch and exhale deeply as you wrap up. This is the most basic form of meditation. While it would work in and of itself to reduce stress, this is also the foundation for many other exercises and meditations.
When you choose to take this to a new level, you will always want to start with this basic meditation and relaxation. As you go into further exercises, concentrate on whatever phrases help you relax. “Nice and easy,” or “Relax and Let Go” of “I am at Ease” are good ones to try.
There are meditative scriptures for almost any faith, and plenty of non-religious phrases, chants, or incantations. Find the phrase that works for you, and look around for other exercises.
Meditation is a great way to relax, and will do more to improve your health and reduce stress than any drug, and the only side effect is a calmer healthier life as a result of your improved mood!
If you have not done so already… I encourage you to sign up for my Inner Peace Kit (you can access at the right of this article), it has some great information for increasing inner peace AND includes a guided meditation for stress relief that you may enjoy!
Such a lovely post. Yes, I’ve tried meditation…several times, for stress relief. I’m still working on it. My brain has a challenge when it comes to blocking out whatever is around me…I am getting better at it though. Thanks for sharing this post, Moira.
Thanks Alexandra 🙂 – a wee tip for you to try is, rather than working to block everything out – focus on just being calm and relaxed as things happen around you (including your thoughts!)
Great post on meditation, Moira! We all need to be reminded again and again about how important meditation is for our human systems and spiritual growth. Thank you.
Thanks Barbara – yes reminders and repetition is key isn’t it!
I love to meditate, especially on the days when nothing is working out the way it should. I sometimes hold a clear crystal quartz in my left hand. Seems to enhance the calming effect of the meditation.
That’s a great time to meditate Vatsala! I also use a clear crystal quartz when I need a bit of support for clarity.
What an easy example of how to meditate. I think people don’t do it because they don’t understand what it really is. I always use the words “I am” because they are the most powerful. Thanks for a great post. Many will benefit from learning from you!
Thanks Martha – using “I am” is a very powerful method. I agree with you about how many people do not understand what it is – I love helping people see how simple it is and that even they can do it 🙂
Like many things, meditation is often overcomplicated … to the point that people don’t start doing it because they think they can’t. Yet, as you describe, it can start so simply. Once it becomes a more natural process, it’s a marvelous tool to offer a moment’s respite, a quiet stress-reducer, a little parentheses. Thanks for sharing the basics, Moira!
It’s so true that many people really over-complicate (and mis-understand) meditation – it’s a wee bit like hypnosis too – people tell me that they were not hypnotized because they could still hear what I was saying… I like helping people ease in with the basics! Thanks for stopping by my blog Sharon!
My special times are in my bedroom with my bible… door closed, no distractions except perhaps very soft relaxing music. I journal, think upon… see what applies to me today. And the peace of God, that surpasses ALL understanding descends every time. Thanks for sharing, awesome!
Sounds like an excellent restorative and intention setting practice Norma!
Wonderful post, Moira, and a great reminder it need not be complicated. Meditation has / is such an important part of my daily balance.
Thanks Lisa – I agree meditation is a crucial part of daily balance – it’s very important to me also and it IS so much less complicated than some people think!
Insightful post on reducing stress Moira 🙂 I have done many of these things but of late I must admit I am slipping a bit BUT have to get back to basics 🙂
Great timing! I just blocked off a nice chunk of time this morning to meditate and get centred Been a crazy few weeks and I so needed that!