So your life is busy and hectic and you wonder why you can’t close your mind when you want to sleep. Are you gaining weight? Is your health starting to suffer? Does the doctor say that he is going to prescribe medicine to control your blood pressure? Just can’t figure out why all this is happening to you? Give me a break! Just sit back and rest! Well, there is a new concept! When was the last time he really sat down and took some time for himself or replenished that energy that he thought he had…maybe ever? We have hectic lives; Some more than others. There is simply no way around that. It is the state of our being. It’s an accepted way of living these days. So how do you take time for yourself when you don’t even have any? Simply meditating.

When I suggest to my clients that they really need to meditate every day, they look at me like I just fell out of a pumpkin truck. Actually, it’s the “how” of meditation that gets you hooked on meditating more. It is simple. Sedate. Quiet. Nice. You could have been meditating the entire time you read this article.

Let’s go to some basic concepts. This is for everyone, but if your schedule is EXTREME then you should start with just 5 minutes a day. OKAY. I know you’re busy, but 5 minutes is only 300 seconds of your day to take some time for yourself.

• First, turn off the phone completely. No vibrations or buzzing of any kind. Just turn it off completely. Didn’t know it had an “Off” button? See? You are already making progress. You’ve learned something new about your phone.
• Second, go somewhere cozy and comfortable. Put your feet up, if you can. When people really relax, they tend to be cold. So get yourself a coat, a blanket, a coat, anything that keeps you warm.
• Third, find good calm and relaxing music. No, the boom boom boom won’t work. You are looking for relaxing music and turn it down very low until you can almost hear it.
• Now sit on that comfy chair, couch, lounger, even lay down on the floor if that’s okay with you. I want you to close your eyes, breathing very slowly. From the diaphragm, inhale for 5 seconds, hold for 2, and exhale for 5 seconds. A lot of people have trouble with this, because they just aren’t used to slowing down their breathing. Once you’ve mastered this, it becomes much easier.
• Once you have stopped breathing, I want you to imagine your favorite and safe place. It could be on top of a mountain. It could be in the woods with a gentle stream running by. It could be on the beach. You could be watching the waves dance on the rocks. Wherever it is, it is yours and yours alone. You will always be safe there, because it is all yours. It is your imaginary place that you can escape to whenever external pressures become too much. Enjoy the feeling of tranquility and solitude.

If you can start with 5 minutes every day and increase your time to 20-30 minutes every day, you will notice changes in your life, your life and those around you. You will think more clearly. You will be sharper in your game. You will be more productive. You will be able to sleep at night. You’ll feel better. You will eat better. You are feeding your body with serenity and calm.

Now, if you have even 15-20 minutes each day, let me take you to a new step. This was shown to me by a good friend over a year ago and I still use it every day. It could be something that you can incorporate into your ongoing daily meditation. Imagine yourself in your favorite place and add it: a structure of your choice, whatever shape, size, etc. you want. If you want it to be a spa, make it your own spa. Money is not an issue at your spa, so you can have anything and everything you want. You can have a juice bar, a wine bar, a smoothie bar, you name it. You can have attendants waiting for you when you enter and are at your beck and call. You can do whatever you want in your imaginary structure in your mind. You can have a pool that has dolphins, if that is what you choose. You can get massages by your own masseuse, or you can let your imagination run wild. Whatever you need to relax, that’s what you can imagine. You will be surprised how time flies. Your own personal place to relax and let your body heal.

I hope I was able to give you a place to start. It is not as hard or difficult as one might think. Start with your 5 minutes and work your way up to two 30-minute sessions each day. Your health and your body will thank you.