Gain more energy, focus & relaxation with Meditation by Chris D. Cruz

Meditation can bring a variety of benefits to your life. You can use it to gain more energy, focus
your mind, relax your body, attain peace, rejuvenate your spirit, and many other things.
Meditation is primarily a way to rest and relax your mind.
Meditation allows your mind to go into a deeper, more relaxed stage where you're more aware of your body and surroundings.
There are various methods of meditation, but they all focus on the main goal to quiet your mind and achieve a state of inner calm.
Here are three simple strategies that can help you get the most from your meditation:
1. Choose the best time and place. Because of our different schedules and harried lives, not everyone will find the same time best for them. The time of day is not really so important as long as you pick a time that works well for you.
- Choose a time to meditate when you won't have the phone ringing or kids knocking on your door. To quite your mind you need quiet in the home.
- It's best to avoid times right before or after eating.
- Some people do well with 10 minutes of meditation time while others need at least a half hour.
It's also important that you find a great place for your meditation. You'll need an environment that's
both relaxing and quiet, so that nothing takes your attention away from meditating.
- Turn off loud appliances, the television, and even your phone, so you're not distracted or interrupted.
- Sometimes going outdoors can provide an inspirational place for meditation.
- Setting a calm mood will help you meditate. Closing the curtains, turning on soft light, or lighting your favorite scented candle might help you relax.
2. Clear your mind. Even when we're still, our minds continue to think. It's easy to allow the problems of the day to come into your mind while you're trying to meditate. It's important that you focus your attention on meditating and work to clear your mind.
- Breathe deeply and concentrate on relaxing your body. Picture each part of your body going limp as you relax. With each breath, inhale peace and exhale your worries.
- Envision a place that brings you happiness. This place can be real or imagined as long as you're relaxed and not thinking about your problems.
3. Find your inner peace. Find your place of inner peace when you meditate. It's the place inside of you that's quiet and far away from the cares of the world.
- When you're able to totally clear your mind, you can usually bring yourself to a place where you truly feel peace and happiness.
- Allow yourself to stay in this place for a while, calming and relaxing your body and mind.
It's not hard to meditate. While it's more difficult when you first get started, over time it becomes easier and easier to reach your goal of finding peace and relaxation.