Meditation is an umbrella term for a set of techniques that are intended to encourage a heightened state of awareness and focused attention. Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years in cultures all over the world and nearly every religion, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, has a tradition of using meditative practices. Meditation originally was used as a means to deepen understanding of the sacred forces of life. More recently, meditation is also used for relaxation and stress reduction. Meditation is considered a type of mind-body complementary medicine that can produce a deep state of relaxation.

During meditation, you focus your attention and eliminate the stream of jumbled thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing stress. This process can result in enhanced physical and emotional well-being. Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that can benefit both your emotional well-being and your overall health. Meditation can help carry you more calmly through your day and may help you manage symptoms of certain medical conditions - the benefits last long after your meditation session has ended.

Meditation and emotional well-being

When you meditate, you may clear away the information overload that builds up every day and contributes to your stress.

The emotional benefits of meditation can include:

• Gaining a new perspective on stressful situations

• Building skills to manage your stress

• Increasing self-awareness

• Focusing on the present

• Reducing negative emotions

• Increasing imagination and creativity

• Increasing patience and tolerance

Let’s get started…

If you are new to meditation, or mindfulness then start with the 5 minute breathing exercise below. Learn to focus solely on your body for a couple of minutes. It is common for your thoughts to wonder at first - and that is ok. The important thing is to notice each time your mind wonders and bring it back to the moment and continue the practice. Over time you will be able to focus for longer periods and really calm the mind.