Meditation isn’t just for hippies with halitosis. There are genuine health benefits, the most important of which is stress reduction.
But unlike a lot of stress-reducing techniques and fads, meditation is something everyone can do. And being free, it’s cheaper than hiring a lawyer after you strangle your boss. You’ll realize immediate benefits. Just five minutes a day can make a huge difference in your life.
The point of meditation is to momentarily clear your mind of distractions. You do that by occupying your right and left brains with a mental activity that has no special meaning. It could be chanting “ohm” or staring at a rock.
In this case, that activity is breathing. Here’s what you do:
1) Go somewhere private, even if that’s the company bathroom; if you have an office, close the door
2) Set your watch alarm for as few as five minutes later – although the longer you meditate, the greater the benefits
2) Sit up straight, close your eyes and “look” straight ahead
3) Inhale deeply and slowly. Exhale slowly
4) Focus on your breathing, a normally unconscious activity.
That’s it. Breathe.
The catch? In about 10 seconds you’ll start thinking of something else. My nose is itchy. Cats have sharp tongues. Whatever. This is normal. Just re-focus on your inhalations and exhalations. Slowly, deeply, calmly.
Your thoughts will soon wander again. Don’t feel bad. The important thing is to return and re-focus. Indeed, much of this article was composed while meandering.
