Stress management: Doing meditation.( I will be giving you some health articles from time to time)

Introduction

Meditation means different things to different people, and there are many ways to do it. This topic focuses on a kind of meditation called mindful meditation. This practice may help you relax and relieve stress.

Key points

• The goal of mindful meditation is to focus your attention on the things that are happening right now in the present moment. The idea is to note what you experience without trying to change it.
• Meditation can help you relax, because you are not worrying about what happened before or what may occur in the future.
• You don't need any special tools or equipment to practice this meditation. You just sit in a comfortable position in a chair or on the floor. Or you can lie down, if that is more comfortable for you.
• If your mind wanders, don't worry or judge yourself. When you become aware that your thoughts are wandering, simply focus again on the present moment. One way to do this is by paying attention to your body. For example, is your breathing fast or slow, deep or shallow?
• Meditation may bring up certain feelings or emotions. If this happens, don't try to rid your mind of these feelings. Just focus on what you feel at the present moment. Don't get lost in the thoughts that those feelings might trigger.

What is mindful meditation?

Mindful meditation is when you sit without "doing" anything, and you focus on the present moment. As you do this, you let go of thoughts about the past and the future.

After you practice this meditation, you may find it easier to be mindful even when you are not meditating. Being mindful means to focus your attention on things that are happening right now in the present moment.

People's lives are busy. A person often does many things at one time. For example, you may be walking to the grocery store, making a shopping list, and talking on the phone all at the same time. But when you are mindful, you do just one of those things, such as walking, and you pay close attention to that one thing.

For example, as you are walking, how does the air feel against your skin? Is it warm, cool, dry, or moist? How do your feet feel as they hit the sidewalk? Do your shoes create pressure on your feet, or do your feet feel comfortable and supported? This is what it means to walk mindfully.

Test Your Knowledge

1. Being mindful means to be aware of only one thing at a time.

The answer is incorrect

When you are mindful, you are aware of all the things that are happening around you right now. There may be many things happening at this moment. For example, when you take a shower, you may be aware of the temperature of the water, how your body feels as the water washes over you, and the dampness of the air in the shower.

2.The answer is correct

When you are mindful, you are aware of all the things that are happening around you right now. There may be many things happening at this moment. For example, when you take a shower, you may be aware of the temperature of the water, how your body feels as the water washes over you, and the dampness of the air in the shower.