There are many benefits of mediation, both mental and physical.  By meditating daily you can lower your stress and tension levels, which has been linked to living healthier, happier and longer lives. Two ways that I help myself to relax and re-center are by using deep breathing techniques and guided meditation.  I find that by combining the two I really benefit from meditation and so does everyone around me.   The more relaxed I am, the less I tend to complain and growl at my husband and kids. 

With breathing techniques such as abdominal breathing I can do them whenever I am feeling stressed.  A few deep breaths can really make a lot of difference throughout the day to help keep me balanced and stress free. So when the kids are fighting, instead of basically joining in by screaming along with them, I take some deep, cleansing breaths and approach them in a calm manner.  And I amazed at how much better this works than just yelling at them.

With guided meditation I can pop in a meditation CD and for half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the evening I take some me time to meditate.  Listening to the relaxing voice on the CD is a great way to start and end each day.

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