The practice of relaxation and stress reduction through meditation has been around for thousands of years; we can trace meditation back as early as 5,000 BC. In the present day, meditation is still existing, and people seek it as a way of coping with present events. Understanding meditation’s benefits and the different ways one can utilize it is crucial for those who want to start this practice. There are many kinds of meditation that one can practice, guided meditation, mantra meditation, qi gong, tai chi, transcendental meditation and yoga are just some forms of meditation. The beautiful thing about meditation is that no matter which form you decide to practice, in the end it will help you reach the level of relaxation you want to accomplish. Meditation is also very flexible. You can meditate while taking a walk, riding the car or bus, or even on the minutes before going to sleep. You can go into this practice with an open mind and try different kinds of meditation till you find the one that fits you and helps you the most. Meditation has been found to help with stress, anxiety, chronic pain, depression, trauma, high blood pressure, tension problems, among others.

Meditation has various emotional benefits that include:

• Gaining new perspectives of life and how to deal with stressful situations
• Increasing and building skills to manage stress
• Increasing patience and tolerance
• Increasing strength of character
• Finding a new resolution and point of view
• Reducing and knowing how to manage negative emotions

Adapting meditation to your life can be very beneficial. Opening up to new methods of coping and relaxation will open doors to you and the people around you.