Do you ever feel that your mind is a whirlwind of thoughts and ideas, over which you don’t have much control? Or do you sometimes wish that you could escape to a world that’s far away from the hustle and bustle of life? It may come as a surprise, but retreating to a calmer place which is all yours and staying in touch with your inner self can be achieved in the same room that you are sitting in now. You don’t need to book an expensive holiday to refresh your senses or book a spa appointment for that feeling of well-being. All you need to do is to close your eyes and meditate.

Although meditation is often associated with religion or hippie culture, it is in itself an ancient science which has been around for many centuries.  Meditating regularly rids your mind of any toxins (such as negative thoughts, feelings or unwanted emotions), helps to reduce stress and tension, increases concentration abilities, heightens one’s intuition, allows you to be happier and to tackle life itself with a peaceful and calm mind. Medically, meditation has been proven to be beneficial for people who suffer from high blood pressure, depression and even hormonal problems. Meditation if done right will truly make you feel more refreshed and lighter in your mind as well.

So what’s the right way to meditate? Meditation can be done any time, but many find it best early in the morning before breakfast, preferably at sunrise. Make sure you don’t have a heavy meal or you will find it hard to stay focused on the technique itself. It’s important to sit or lie down in a room where you are comfortable and where you can meditate without the disturbance of any sounds or movements.  With your eyes closed, take in atleast 7-10 deep breaths and feel your lungs fill up with air and exhale. Keep your body loose and stay focused on one sound or one thought. For example, you may chant a single word, focus on the ticking of a clock or even count silently in your mind. Each person has a different way of unwinding the mind and self during meditation, and with practice you will be able to discover what works best for you. Don’t think about how much time you are taking during a session as it defeats the purpose. Once you have completed your meditation, stay in the same posture for a few more minutes and soak in your surroundings.

The time taken to tame the mind completely and the intensity of each session increase with practice. In a world where we have become used to multi-tasking and thinking a hundred different thoughts in a single minute, meditation is truly a way to escape even for just a few minutes a day.

How do you like to spend your time, just after waking up in the morning and before you really begin your day? Most of us prefer to make ourselves a cup of aromatic coffee, read the newspaper or check e-mails and mentally prepare ourselves for the long day that lies ahead (or just chase around after the kids!). Does the sound of going for a morning jog, before you get dressed for work, appeal to you? The very thought of putting on our jogging shoes when we could do with a few extra minutes of sleep may seem too big an effort, but with a bit of determination and a regular routine, you’ll begin to look forward to your early morning jogs. Need more convincing? Here are a few of the benefits you’ll experience:

-       Jogging in the outdoors with the wind blowing on your face is a great perk-me-up and will refresh you within minutes (especially this time of year!). Unlike the caffeine in a cup of coffee, this refreshed feeling will last you the whole day.

-       It’s a great way to burn fat and calories. Many people with regular jobs complain that they don’t get time to work out but jogging is a great way to lose weight faster and to become slimmer. Plus, you’ll have more reasons to smile when you see your toned abdomen.

-       Jogging helps to give your body a fantastic workout inside out. It will not only strengthen your muscles and increase bone density, but also give you a lean and well toned figure. So, if you aren’t into body building, but still want to look fit, then jogging is the answer.

-       As with any cardiovascular activity, jogging helps to keep your heart and circulatory system in top shape. In fact, you’ll find a new glow in your skin, which probably wasn’t there before!

-       It’s best to increase the intensity and duration of your jogging sessions once it becomes a part of your routine. You’ll find huge improvements in your stamina and body metabolism.

-       You’ll find that your energy levels will remain high all day, and you’ll be motivated to give your best in every task you undertake.  You will feel much more alert, sharper and take better decisions too.

-       If you usually have trouble falling asleep at night, you’ll find that jogging in the morning helps you sleep better every day. Nothing like a few hours of sound sleep to give your body and mind the rest it needs.

Sure, waking up early in the morning and getting started may feel like a punishment at first, but once you begin to feel healthier and better about yourself, you’ll begin to enjoy each session. Take along your i-pod as company to catch up on your favourite tunes and don’t forget your bottle of water either!

How does one define stress? To put it simply, it is just the body’s reaction to a sudden change where it is required to adapt to the new circumstance physically, mentally or emotionally.  Contrary to belief, the human body is very much built to withstand stress. Why is it deemed to be the number one killer then? Stress which can be positive for us in many ways can also become dangerous when a person does not get the required release or rest that the body needs in order to recover from a challenge. This leads to a negative condition called distress which features different symptoms such as an upset digestive system, frequent headaches, asthma, skin conditions, depression, insomnia, chest pains and eventually other diseases.

The right way to challenge yourself is by completely switching off for atleast an hour everyday and doing what makes you happy. De-stressing on a daily basis does not have to be expensive at all; in fact it could be something as simple as taking the dog out for a walk. Here are a few examples-

-       Make time to read your favourite author or a magazine.

-       Put on some soothing music, close your eyes and relax. Now’s the time to switch off your mobile phone too.

-       Go for a walk with a friend or by yourself. It will refresh you in no time.

-       Make time for a hobby- it could be learning a new skill, joining a taekwondo class or just gardening.

-       It may sound odd but many people find cooking to be a natural stress busting activity. Try a new recipe that you found or bake a cake. You’ll feel proud when you see the delicious result!

-       Make the time to catch up with friends. No matter how busy you are, you’ll find that meeting up with pals for a meal or for a movie, will make you feel good about yourself in no time.

-       Have a good workout. Working out gives your body so many benefits and it’s a good way to channel your energy too.

-       Pamper yourself. Go for a massage at the spa, play golf with friends, go shopping- basically anything that helps you unwind.

Another key factor in stress management is making sure that your body has a regular physical release.  In primitive times stress often initiated the fight/flight response, which is helpful when a Lion is trying to have you as a snack!  The act of the fight/flight, to put it simply, ‘used up’ all the hormones released by your body as part of the stress response.  In modern times the causes of stress are different, but the way our body reacts chemically is the same, which leads to the next problem, there’s no release because a fight/flight doesn’t take place.  Exercising is a simple way for your body to release this, and of course has many side benefits including more energy, improved sleep, and living longer.

So, the next time you want to do something for yourself, don’t feel guilty about it. It will give you more benefits that you ever imagined.