Some days, we feel surrounded by stress! But you can find peace and calm. Bringing calm to an otherwise crazy world requires mental focus and concentration.

PATH Can Help! You’re in luck! PATH has several interactive  meditation resources to help you start your practice. Explore some of these and learn more about meditation. Click the links below or find them under the PATH headings shown. Media — Click here Look in the Meditation section of our Media library for short, guided meditations and Soundscapes that help calm your mind with relaxing sounds. Healthy Habits — Click here Calm App — Did you use your Calm app today? Mindful Moment — How many mindful minutes did you take today? Journeys — Click here Calm your mind for Sleep.

The good news is anyone can teach themself to be calm under pressure. And for centuries, people have practiced meditation precisely to find a peaceful center. You may be surprised to learn there are many different types of meditative exercises to help find your peace. Click here to learn more about nine different kinds of meditation.

Why Meditate?

The benefits of meditation go far beyond reducing stress and creating emotional balance. Many people find it:

• Lowers blood pressure.
• Improves their quality of sleep.
• Lightens their mood.
• Promotes an overall feeling of well-being.

“Even when life feels overwhelming, meditation offers a way to tap into your inner stillness,” explains Hayley Flott, Wellness Consultant at PDRMA. “It’s a practice that helps you find peace amid the ‘noise.’ And it’s becoming more and more popular for people looking to bring a little more calmness into their lives.”

A Quick Way to Start

While there’s lots to learn about practicing meditation, beginners can get off to a quick start by following a few simple steps.

1. Find a quiet and comfortable space.
2. Choose a comfortable position.
3. Set a time limit — start with just a few minutes.
4. Focus on your breath.
5. Observe how you are feeling.
6. Acknowledge and release your thoughts.
7. Come back to your breath if your mind wanders. (It’s ok!! There’s no wrong way to do it!)

If you want more guidance, use an app or an online resource. Here are a few that are fun and easy to use.

• Calm.com.
• Headspace.com.
• InsightTimer.com.

Practice Makes Progress

It takes time to become comfortable with meditation, so be patient. Let go of perfection  and instead, let your practice be what it is each day without judging yourself. It helps if you practice every day — even if only for five minutes. Try different times of day or different places until you find the one that works best for you. If you find sitting still challenging at first, you can try meditating while walking. Pick a single path that is easy and straightforward, slow your pace and focus on your breath. Release any thoughts that might arise as you walk.

You might be surprised at how good you feel after meditating, even just once. And that feeling often gets stronger the more you do it. Namaste!