It is well documented that meditation aids with stress relief and has other benefits too. It may sound impossible to suggest that time should be set aside for meditation to be part of your weekly schedule but by allocating enough time you actually can meditate for your well-being. No other exercise or medium can actually work towards the betterment of health like meditation and increase your productivity and health over the long run.

Meditation removes the clutter and stress that we pile up in our minds. By eliminating these chunks of unwanted thoughts, you can sort through the disorder to channel your thoughts in a more positive direction thus increasing your workflow. Anyone can meditate; it’s just a matter of finding the form of meditation that suits you best and how to master it.

Meditation need not take a long time; as little as ten to fifteen minutes can achieve results. A simple breathing mediation may be a good starting point. This only requires a quiet place, ensuring you’re seated in a comfortable position you may be crossed-legged or not, but you need to maintain your back in a straight position to prevent your mind from becoming sleepy. Then, eyes are closed slightly and the meditator focuses on breathing, preferably through nostrils. Thus there is an increase in the awareness of act of breathing which actually makes it easy for the passage of air through the nose into the lungs. As thoughts enter into the mind, focus should remain on breathing so as to concentrate on relaxation and to avoid distraction.

There are several methods of meditation including guided meditation, mantra meditation, mindfulness meditation, QI Gong, Tai Chi and Yoga. Some have a physical exercise element inherent to them but all meditation methods are geared for the same benefits, which are numerous.

Mental well-being is an obvious benefit and this includes being able to look at perceived stressful situations with perception, gaining distance to be able to act accordingly in a controlled manner rather than reacting. Another key mental benefit is overall stress management and increasing your awareness of the self. You can also achieve reduction of negative emotions and learn to focus on the present (living for now) rather than being concerned about what might or might not happen.

Some initial top line research has been conducted that suggests that there are some physical benefits but this has yet to be fully proven by the medical profession. These benefits are varied from reducing allergies, anxiety disorders, asthma, binge eating, cancer, depression, fatigue, heart disease, high blood pressure, pain, sleeping disorders and substance abuse . This certainly is thought provoking.

Author's Bio: 

Lisa Phillips is an experienced Life Coach and author based in Sydney, Australia. She has run her own coaching practice for over 9 years and is a regular contributer to many magazines. Lisa is also an NLP Practitioner.

Lisa is the author of the popular inspiring DIY Coaching ebook which reveals everything you need to know: from achieving exciting goals, to identifying and releasing toxic emotions. This book allows you to easily take action to feel good EVERY DAY! See website for details and how to sign up free for Lisa's newsletter. http://www.amazingcoaching.com.au/diy-ebook.html

You can also follow her fun blog at http://spiritualandirritable.blogspot.com/