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.