Stressed? Worried About Exams? Meditate!

            In the hectic, information based world we live in today, it is far too easy to become overwhelmed by the constant noise in everyday life. There are a number of healthy ways recommended for de-stressing yourself. One of my favorite things to do in order to keep calm in our fast-paced college environment is meditation. There’s something special about getting away from the phone, computer, and all the people in life and just muting your thoughts for a bit. It’s a little more complicated than just sitting somewhere alone with your thoughts though. Meditation requires both practice and discipline, but if you give it the time and effort it deserves, I guarantee it will be worth it.

            Find and set aside a place that won’t be noisy and disturbing. Try to make it somewhere somewhat special that you can think of in the future as the spot where you meditate. When you sit there, either in a chair or on the floor, try to keep your posture upright. Try to keep your gaze downward without staring. We’re trying to mute the other senses as much as possible. Breathe naturally, but begin to notice your breath going in and out. Breathing is what you will focus on if you notice your mind begins to wander. It is what tethers us and allows for relaxation. The biggest part of meditation is the thought process. No matter what thoughts come to mind, tell yourself that no matter how important that may be, now is not the time to contemplate it. No one can perfectly dedicate themselves to this every time, but try to constantly improve your ability to push thoughts to the side. Whenever you have a thought, just let it go and return to focusing on your breath.

            Over time, there are a number of benefits to meditation. The breathing calms us. The lessons we learn about how fast our minds move make us more aware of how we feel and think. Getting away from the world itself is extremely relaxing. If you’re looking for another way to de-stress as the semester begins to really kick into high gear, I’d highly recommend just being alone where you can observe your mind.