Stress is killing us. Daily demands and pressures all too often preoccupy our thoughts, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Recent clinical data suggest that more than 70 percent of American adults regularly experience psychological and physical symptoms caused by stress, which include fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, and irritability. Personally, I am surprised this number is not higher, as our fast-paced lifestyles and the pressure to always be connected and “plugged in” is a recipe for disaster.
Many of us have heard that meditation can be used to slow down our thoughts, improve our mind-body connection, and serve as an excellent way to de-stress. Numerous studies have confirmed that meditation can help individuals control anxiety and depression and that it may offer other health-related benefits. Despite these benefits, meditation is not a common practice for many of us. Perhaps this is because many of us do not know where to start or feel like we lack the time, funds, and/or effort to learn how to do it properly.