Life can get so busy and hectic at times. There is always so much to do with work, kids, chores, cooking, appointments, and errands to run. Some days you probably feel so exhausted and dream of running off on a two week vacation but then reality kicks in and your dream vanishes.

Stress is a major complaint in a lot of people’s lives. Chronic stress actually has been deemed the cause of various physical and mental illnesses. Many people even have a hard time going to sleep at night because their minds are racing with worrisome thoughts. The need for relaxation and peace is great.

But how do you go from a hectic, stressed out life to a life of harmony, peace, and joy? The first step is to realize that you are on overload and probably headed for a burn out. If you burn out, you will be no good for anyone. The good news is that once you realize that you need to do something to decrease the amount of stress in your life, you have begun a journey that you can take the time to enjoy.

A wonderful tool to reduce stress is the practice of meditation. Meditation is simply a practice of calming the mind and reducing thoughts to come to a greater state of consciousness and peace. It is a tool that millions of men and women have used throughout the centuries to reduce and eliminate stress and worry and receive feelings of peace and joy.

Some people think that meditation is too difficult or that they don’t have time to meditate. Both are false assumptions. Meditation is simply taking a few minutes a day to sit quietly, focus on breathing, and allow peace and quiet to fill your mind and life. Your mind is probably running quite a bit with many thoughts.

Meditation allows you to NOT think for a small time period, but rather focus on the breath and the present moment. Thoughts will come, but the more you practice meditation, the easier it will be to tune away from them and tune into peace.

I encourage you to take 5 minutes a day to meditate. Everyone has 5 minutes to spare each day. A great time to do this is right when you wake up or before you fall asleep. Take a few deep breaths and then focus on your breath. Inhale and exhale while releasing all the tension in your muscles. Continually tune your attention to your breathing. If you find your mind wandering, bring it back to your breath. You can even mentally say the words, “In, out” as you inhale and exhale.

As you continue to practice meditation, you may want to increase the daily time. You ought to find yourself feeling less pressured and stressed throughout the day. You ought to begin feeling refreshed mentally and spiritually. You will become more in tune with your spirit and the deep longings of your heart. You may become more patient and loving as well.

Give it a try. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain. Educate yourself on the practice of meditation and be proactive in living a life filled with peace and joy.

Author's Bio: 

Lisa is a past scout, ticked off the university degrees, bought a house, dreams big, loves positive affirmations and plans to travel more. After 30 years training of being a big sister to annoying little twin sisters, she then popped out her own twin daughters, which are now free-range toddlers to a late night Internet marketer mum. Blog: http://thelastdegree.com