Meditation is one great cure for stress, reduce stress by meditation

Meditation Basics, first step to beating stress

When thinking of stress relief, most people thinking of meditation, or yoga. Most people are right to imagine these activities – because they are stress reducing and help exercise  the power of the mind and spirit. If you suffer from Stress (to read more about identifying stress read our Causes of Stress Article) Stress can be reduced, and stress relieved by practicing meditation, in this article we will give a brief review of meditation and yoga for those of you wishing to get some stress relief. Grounding is a pose that combines breathing and movement, excellent for stress relief, this posture can help you focus and get back to your center. Stand firmly on the ground, visualize roots growing from your feet down through the core of the earth, just like a tree. As you inhale feel the energy of the earth being drawn up through your roots and up through your body and out through the top of your head. On your exhale, let that energy drop back down through your body and feel all the accumulated stress of your life flow out with it and back down through your roots and into the earth. Feel your muscles relax as the stress flows out. This is a good way to release all your stresses, fears, angers and feelings of inadequacy. Repeat this exercise for awhile, as many times as necessary to clean yourself out. Now to the real stress relief cure, bringing calm and positive feelings, stress relief starts  by putting your thoughts away, this progressive relaxation an is easy to do and you can do it anywhere and anytime. Assume your meditation position of choice and take a moment and feel the relaxed energy that you should have after grounding and releasing all your stress. Are you ready to get deeper into this feeling?

Feel the energy that flows up through your roots and into your feet. Make fists with your feet by curling your toes in as far as you can until it hurts, then relax. Let that relaxed feeling flow from your toes back over your feet and feel them relax. As you inhale draw that relaxed feeling up over your ankles and feel them relax completely. On the exhale let any residual stress flow back out and down through the earth. On your next inhale draw that relaxed feeling back up over your calves, letting them relax after walking all day. Draw that relaxed energy up over your thighs with the next inhale. They’re the biggest muscles in the body, so let them relax and rest now. As you inhale feel that relaxed feeling flow up over your hips and buttocks. Feel the stress bleed away. We store a lost of stress here, so take a moment and let this area relax. Draw that relaxed feeling up over your stomach and lower back. Feel the muscles in your back relax and feel your stomach move with your inhale. Draw the feeling of relaxation up over your shoulders and neck. Feel any residual tension flow out with your exhale. Let that relaxed energy flow up and over your head. Let the muscles of your face and those at the base of your skull relax. Just sit here and feel this relaxed body that you have. Remember this feeling as its how you should feel all the time. Tense muscles store energy, which means that your energy isn’t flowing through you, but rather sticking in certain places in your body.

Here are some final tips on meditation for stress relief:

How to Meditate = The basics of Buddhist meditation. In summary, the beginner’s technique is as follows:

1. Try and find a peaceful, calm spot in the house, and some free time, you can disconnect your phone and make sure that nothing can disturb you.

2. Sit or kneel comfortably.

3. The hands are loose and open with the palms up, one atop the other and thumbs lightly touching.

4. Head is upright. Eyes may be closed or open. If open they should focus on your hands or a spot nearby.

4. Beginners should count upwards to ten on each exhale. Breathe in a relaxed and natural way. Then begin again at one and repeat. Continue to breathe naturally.

5. Continue for 15 minutes.

In my personal experience, I don’t find that the specific length of time is as important as repetition and persistence. To paraphrase, 10 minutes daily beats 15 minutes once a week. This brings me to another point: We all have different personalities and as such, different meditation approaches suit some more than others. Thankfully there are many varieties of meditation. Some varieties have sub-varieties.