by Karon Brandt

Created on: November 14, 2009

We all handle stress differently; some people obviously manage stress better than others. Some people turn stress into positive energy and push through something and then feel better. The stress seems to be gone.

Others misdirect the physical and mental discomfort caused by daily stressors, which build up to a seemingly-unmanageable level. Some people may over-react with anger, anxiety, withdrawal, sadness that turns into disabling depression, or they strike out verbally or physically at the wrong people or objects, pets or children. Others self-medicate with (legal or illegal) drugs, alcohol, or food.

We have all experienced stress, and we've learned how to avoid some stress-producing people or situations. Some can reduce stress to more manageable levels by using more positive, overt stress-managers like taking a walk, doing a high-level physical workout like aerobics, beating a punching bag, riding a bike or taking a swim. These self-comforting actions are great if they can be used when needed. But they are often temporary, and you can't always jump into a pool or hop on a bike.

Some people can take a warm bath or hot shower, drink a warm cup of decaffeinated tea, listen to soothing music or fill the room with relaxing aromas. Again, such sensory "fixes" are fine and should be used as often as possible to avoid stress build-up or aid in stress release.

This has all emphasized the physical, mental, and emotional reactions and solutions for stress. What about a solution that releases endorphins and good chemicals through thought processes like meditation?

Some people think meditation is some far-out, esoteric Eastern "fix" that isn't practical for Western culture. By thinking of meditation as the process of simply "being," most people can see the simplicity of this "solution." Transcendental meditation (TM) was made popular back in the '70's by Mararishi Mahesh Yogi. The practice was proven to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and breathing rates, allow the body's natural healing forces to re-energize, and allow the body to re-balance its mind/body/spirit aspects.

There are several forms of meditation and any is helpful, acceptable, and desirable. You can meditate anytime, anywhere (but, the world-renowned psychologist, Dr. Dyer recommends, with a wink, "Don't close your eyes while driving"), and you can do it for 1 minute or 20 without anyone needing to know.

The amazing thing is that results are cumulative: with daily practice and tension release, you will

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