Meditation

For centuries, practitioners have tapped into meditation to focus the mind, reconnect mind and body, get in touch with surroundings, and generally self-soothe. Some practices involve stillness, focused thought or breathing exercises. Others prescribe physical activity, repetitive mantras, or strategic usage of all five senses. The best meditative practice will vary, depending on each unique person and situation. Commonly practiced forms of meditation include:

• Mindfulness meditation
• Grounding exercises
• Deep breathing
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Focused meditation
• Movement meditation

Potential benefits of meditation include anxiety and stress relief, heightened focus, relaxation, a sense of wellbeing and lower blood pressure. But getting the most out of meditation can take practice. For those just getting started, check out these introductory meditation videos:

Additional Resources:

• Meditation: A simple, fast way to reduce stress
• Meditation: In-depth
• Mindfulness meditation: A research-proven way to reduce stress
• UCLA Mindful Awareness Resource Center Free Guided Meditations (English/Spanish)