Our incredibly busy lifestyles today are filled with demands, frustrations and pressures. While it’s easy for most to handle the pressure (some even thrive in it!), the majority of people get overwhelmed and stressed out.

Whether it’s the stress of a new job, bad finances, family or parenting issues, putting too much stress on yourself can have a negative effect on your health, both mental and physical.

Rena Greenberg, an acclaimed author and founder of Easy Willpower, believes in the power of self-hypnosis, meditation and relaxation techniques when it comes to stress-relief because the idea is to “get the mind back into its previous rested state”. Following are some meditation exercises you’d be hard-pressed not to follow.

Take a Hike

Walking in nature promotes and enhances a calming effect, i.e. it isn’t possible not to reach a meditative state as your feet hit a beautiful trail.

How to Do It

The goal is to walk far away from civilization. You can walk in a park, a nature preserve or a place closer to home but it should have natural elements. There’ll be plentiful of fresh air for your lungs and your other senses will be attuned to the sound of birds, the air against your skin and the rustle and feel of the leaves.

Just sit on a rock for a few minutes and savor the beauty and peace that surrounds you.

Look At What You Are Eating

Do you remember the last time you paid any attention to what was on your plate? The busy world of today rarely allows us the time to make home-cooked food and sit with the family while eating. Fast food restaurants and take-outs have become an essential part of daily living. This leads to obesity and overweight!

“Slow, attentive and mindful eating is a key to weight-loss,”says Rena Greenberg. According to her, the human mind is capable of anything as long as it has a strong willpower and drive to achieve a goal.

How to Do It

Pick up whatever you’re eating. If it’s a fruit, observe its bumpiness and texture. Take a bite and chew slowly. Note the taste. 

Relax Your Brain With Breathing Techniques

You may not realize this but most people only breathe through one nostril both during theday and throughout the night. This alternate cycle lasts from 75-200 minutes and is directly related to brain function.

The idea of relaxing the brain with the help of alternate breathing (through each nostril) calms the mind.

How to Do It

Sit in a comfortable position. With your right hand, close the right nostril with your thumb and inhale. Now take off the thumb and close the left nostril with your fourth and pinky finger. Exhale while in this position. Switch your thumb back on the right nostril and inhale.

Repeat this exercise 3-5 times and you’ll be amazed at how rejuvenated and alert you’ll feel afterwards. People can take some guidance from Rena Greenberg, who firmly believes in the concept of self-help and improvement.

For this, the widely acclaimed author and nationally board certified biofeedback therapist also offers self help CD's and DVD's on several topics such as weight-loss, smoking cessation, a gastric bypass hypnosis at home system, etc. Read success stories or get in touch with Rena Greenberg today.