What happens if you try to think of nothing.....

For nearly all of us it’s impossible. Your mind will be racing - thinking about the past and future. It's a constant hum of activity. Sometimes that's not a problem......

But quite often thoughts get stuck. They repeat over and over..... and they're often negative. So we feel depressed , angry or worried.

With this going on in the background- it’s a miracle we do anything!

Meditation

• Increases your concentration. So you can be fully absorbed in what you’re doing. Not stuck in repeating thoughts - worrying about the past or future.

• Helps you realise some thoughts really aren't that important. That you're more than your thoughts.

• Opens you up to the bliss of concentration

2. You Can Let Go

Letting go is hard to do. We're usually very stuck on achieving this or that. We have rigid expectations about the way things should turn out.

This is very stressful......

"Whenever you try to exert control over the natural ebb and flow of life, you end up either frustrated or disappointed- because it can't be controlled. Whenever you apply effort to trying to relax and slow down, you produce the opposite effect."

Paul Wilson The Quiet

Meditation helps you let go. If you're having trouble with this try Mantra Meditation . I've found it particularly helpful....

3.Your Posture is Better

When you meditate you sit upright but not rigid. So your back forms a natural S shape - with the weight spread evenly.

Why should this reduce stress signs and symptoms?

You'll breathe better. So you'll be calm yet alert. Like the other benefits of meditation this gradually spills over from sitting to your everyday life.

4.You're Less Reactive

In some ways the human nervous system is a bit out of date! Our physiology isn't really designed for the modern world... We're geared up to respond to physical danger by fighting or running away. When there's a threat stress hormones pour into our blood. We're ready to fight or run

The problem is.......

We have the same reaction to modern stresses - where there's no physical danger. Say you've been told you might lose your job... Your upset....your mouth might be dry, your heart racing, stomach churning. But this reaction doesn’t help you.......it makes things worse.

Meditation makes you less reactive. You get used to watching your thoughts and emotions. Not believing all of them. You'll start to see the bigger picture..... and not react so easily.

More ways you can relieve stress signs and symptoms ....

• 5 Effective Ways to Deal With Stress
• 5 Easy Meditation Techniques for Stress Relief
• Symptoms of a Mild Anxiety Attack: How Meditation Helps

But what causes stress? Find out here....

• What is Stress - Part 1
• What is stress - Part 2
• What is stress - Part 3

And Coming soon....

How to deal with work, family and time stress.

Return from Stress Signs and Symptoms to Ways to Deal with Stress

Return from Stress Signs and Symptoms to Learning Modern Meditation

Photo at top of page by Thomas Hawk