meditation

Meditation is a self-induced trance-like state of extreme relaxation and focus, similar to hypnotism or yoga, which can be achieved in a variety of ways. Practiced around the world for thousands of years, it has spawned a large number of varieties, methods, and uses.

Many alternative medical systems such as Ayurveda consider it an essential part of one’s everyday routine for maintaining health and wellbeing.

Its primary therapeutic effect is stress relief and the many health benefits associated with it, such as lower blood pressure, heart rate, and calm of mind. These benefits also last long after a session of meditation is ended, making it a very useful tool for dealing with everyday stress and anxiety in a calm and focused way.

There are many types of meditation, but all share the elements of physical relaxation in combination with mental focus on some single thing, which can be breathing, a candle’s flame, or a single word repeated over and over (called a mantra). It can take time and discipline to learn to meditate properly, but can be self-taught, and is by its nature self-administered. Meditation is a free, perfectly safe, and highly effective therapy.

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