Meditation; Quick and Easy Way to Reduce Stress

Meditation can be intimidating.  Some people think it takes hours of sitting like a pretzel while fasting and requires the mind of a Buddhist Monk.  WOW!  No wonder it is scary.
 
Meditation can be done almost anywhere, in any position and last from 30 seconds to hours.  It also can be done while walking, running or doing repetitive motions, like chopping wood, washing dishes or weeding.  You’ve probably been in a meditative state without realizing it and just thought you were daydreaming or drifting to sleep.
 
Stopping for just 5 minutes a day can have restorative effects and make a big difference physically, emotionally and mentally.  My favorite time and place is my patio, in the morning just after breakfast.  For those of you that hit the ground running until you drop back into bed, maybe 5 minutes after you wake-up might work, just before you go to bed or take time out at lunch. 
 
Regular practice will enhance your ability to focus, stay calm, be able to relax faster and tune into your body and what is happening within.  There is a whole list of benefits and it is even beginning to find its way into mainstream medicine with some doctors recommending it to patients.
 
Here is a great article from the Mayo Clinic with further information:
Meditation: A simple, fast way to reduce stress.
 
If you are looking for some help in getting started with meditation, YouTube.com has several meditations in your choice of length.  Here is a short, 5 minute meditation, as an example:
5 Minute Meditation
 
Beating yourself up over the amount of stress you have in your life only increases it and making grand plans to make major changes usually fail.  Just try one baby step in making changes and you will have a better chance at succeeding. 
 
Meditation can be a quick and easy way to start finding a way to manage your crazy life and find some peace and balance.  Give it a try and see what happens.  I would love to hear your experience.

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