Meditation : It's All the Rage

Ever wish you could step outside of daily life and find calm? Think meditation requires years of training in a monastery? Well, think again. At its simplest, the act of meditation is about focusing the mind on physical sensations "in the moment". You too can benefit from this simple technique. Start with ten minutes a day.

• Wearing loose clothing, find somewhere quite and sit comfortably. The classic posture is to sit cross-legged on a cushion that tilts your pelvis forward. You can also sit on a chair, always keeping your spine straight.
• Concentrate on your breath, without forcing it. When you breathe in, be aware of breathing in. When you breathe out, be aware of that. If your mind wanders, draw it back.
• Become aware of your toes, then your feet, then your calves, and so on. Work through the whole of your body.

This focus requires a lot of discipline, but in time your mind should become calmer even when you're not meditating, and your happiness will be less dependent on the ebb and flow of external circumstances.

Along with meditation, in case you need some help in handling day to day anxiety, Cardiologist Dr. Graham Jackson shares his top anxiety-busting techniques:

• Try to remove yourself from the stressful environment or the people who irritate you at least once a day (going for a quick walk doubles the stress-busting benefit).
• If you are angry, write a letter about the person or problem expressing your anger, then tear it up. (Don't send it!). Yell and shout at a mirror, then laugh at yourself. That old advice about counting to ten slowly while breathing deeply really does have a physical effect.
• Don't rely on caffeine, alcohol or cigarettes when the going gets tough.
• Don't repress problems and let them fester - bring them into the open and try to talk things through with a friend or partner.
• Try relaxation tapes, doing yoga or some breathing exercise (see above).
• Avoid over-commitment. Don't be afraid to turn things down.
• Most of all try to keep life in perspective. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow hasn't happened. Ask yourself what you would be doing if you had one day alive. Get on with today and enjoy it.

Source: RD Living