Most of us don't have a meditation room complete with satin floor cushions, Eastern music, a yogi and incense. And most of us don't have 30 consecutive minutes to spare, either.
It's a shame that life is often so full of, well, life, that you probably don't have time to stop and enjoy it. But despite it all, there are some easy ways to include much-needed relaxation into your daily life. After all, meditation isn't supposed to be hard work. The real trick is allowing yourself to have small breaks from everyday stresses.
So try some of these simple daily meditations and reveal a few mellow moments in a world of constant commotion.
Before you exit the car and enter a hectic business meeting or houseful of rambunctious children, take five minutes to decompress.
Park the car and turn off the engine. Put on a soothing song. Lean your chair back, stretch your back up tall and close your eyes. Inhale and exhale deeply and really try and focus on that breath. If thoughts about a presentation or dinner plans creep into your mind, ignore them. Keep focusing on your breathing.
Let your anxieties and tension travel down your arms and flow from your fingertips. After a few minutes, you'll feel more relaxed and ready to face whatever is waiting for you.
Most of us have little or no privacy at work. We're in doorless cubicles or at desks where our personal business is everyone's business. So sitting cross-legged on the floor to meditate might not be the most appropriate thing to do.
You have alternatives, though. Most offices have small unused rooms, for example. Some have Mommy Rooms that offer privacy for new mothers. Or perhaps you have a really cool boss who would let you borrow her office while she's in a meeting. And in desperate times, even bathroom stalls can provide enough isolation for a few minutes.
Just find a spot where you can close your eyes, adjust your posture and focus on your breathing for a few minutes. It will make a huge difference in your day and you'll discover a sense of renewal that will leave you feeling more productive and accomplished.
At the end of a long, stress-filled day, it's likely that you're so excited to get to sleep that you can't fall asleep. Your head hits the pillow and then your mind takes off racing.
Before you get into your normal sleeping position, lie on your back with your arms to your sides and palms up. And, just like it's mentioned above under "In the Car," focus on your breathing and only your breathing. If your mind gets clear enough, you may just fall asleep before your meditation is over. You may discover a world of peaceful dreams is waiting for you.
