The power of meditation

Meditation has gained lots of traction in recent years. The practice calms the mind and body, allowing you to relax and rejuvenate. Meditations can last a few minutes or span an hour or more. There are many smartphone applications and videos for guided meditation. You also can practice solo with calming music or in silence. Concentrate on your breathing and focus on the present moment.

Proven benefits to meditating:

• People who are undergoing cancer treatment or have a chronic illness may benefit from meditation, as it can reduce anxiety and pain and improve quality of life.
• Those who struggle with high blood pressure may find that meditation—along with medication—can help control blood pressure.
• Women experiencing menopausal symptoms may discover that meditation can lead to better sleep and less stress, pain and hot flashes.

Visualization can be added into your meditation practice if you are preparing for an event or feeling nervous about how to handle a situation. Visualizing your success can be extremely beneficial. Play out the event in your mind, just as you wish it to happen. This may decrease feelings of stress and anxiety because you have visualized the experience and it may feel more familiar.

Practice meditation today—either with a guided script or by allowing yourself to sit in uninterrupted silence for a few moments.