Meditation for stress relief & better health - any pointers?

All - does anyone practice meditation regularly for stress relief? Do you have any recommendations for how to get started, or general tips & pointers? I've made really good progress with fixing my diet and exercise routine, and stress is the remaining health issue I'd like to improve on. Thanks.

Replies

  • Music helps me. As does the physical setting. I need to be comfy. Chanting/having a catchphrase does help me focus on my breathing. I like to do it when I get home from work. Seems to make a nice transition for me. Just a few minutes at a time to start.
  • You can look for an MBSR program near you or a place where people get together to meditate. You can google or youtube some of the common mindfulness meditations such as "Mindfulness of the Breath" "Body Scan" "Mindful Yoga" "Leaves on a stream" "Loving Kindness Meditation"
  • Meditation Oasis podcasts are fantastic (and free)!
  • Meditation noob here. I've done the body scan and the breathing exercise. The breathing is super easy.

    http://mindfulnesshamilton.ca/meditation-scripts
  • Try legs up the wall- literally lay with your butt against the wall and legs up. Focus on breathing in and out through the nose. Both the posture and breathing should relax you. Its good before bed. A good breathing technique is trying to make the inhales and exhales the same length (ex inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 4). If a thought comes into your brain don't dwell on it, let it pass. If its important it'll come back later. Good luck(: