4 Ways To Reduce Stress

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Every one I know is looking for ways to reduce their stress. According to Dr. Herbert Benson, a specialist in mind and body, about 60-90 percent of all physician visits are stress-related.  In Eastern Medicine meditation is often recommended to help you monitor your breath, feelings and lower your stress levels.

How to meditate

A lot of people may imagine meditation looking like a person sitting down on a pillow, eyes closed and perhaps repeating a mantra. Well, there are a variety of ways to meditate. You can do it anywhere and while some who meditate may do it that way- others can do it simply by applying a little mindful focus.

Here are 4 tips to help you reduce your stress levels through meditation. 

1. Go out into nature.

Take a nature walk. If you become one with nature by taking in the sights, sounds and smells  you will calm your thoughts.  Also pay attention to your breathing.

2. Start the day with a little meditation.

Experts say if you commit to doing 5 to 10 minutes of meditation when you wake up could set you up for a stress free day. 

3.  Become mindful of stress in your body. 

You ever notice out of the blue that your shoulders are so tense they are touching your ears?  Learn to recognize when you're getting stressed out. When you feel yourself getting tense stop and do some meditation.

4. Meditation lunch break. 

A lot of people use food as a stress reliever. Turn it around. Take 15 minutes of your lunch break to meditate before you eat. You may find that you will get a hold of your emotions and make you feel better.