We’re always looking for new ways to deal with stress. In today’s day and age, there seems to be thousands of methods we’re supposed to use to limit our stress. The amount of options we have is simply overwhelming, and the choices we’re presented with range in quality: some things seem pretty legit, while other proposed methods of dealing with stress seem a little gimmicky.

That’s why it’s important to do something that really works. After all, you want a way to reduce stress that doesn’t stress you out. Luckily for you, I know of a tried-and-true way of calming yourself down, and it’s absolutely free. Meditation is a great way of restoring a sense of calm and balance to your life. It’s an ancient practice that finds its origins in not one single culture, but in many. It’s considered to be a really strong technique in order to combat mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

Meditating isn’t something you can just sit down and do perfectly the first time. It takes a lot of focus and practice in order to get to the point where you’re reaping the benefits of the meditation sessions.

Meditation is so powerful because it combines a sense of spirituality and science.

According to WebMD, “Meditation is a simply technique that, if practiced for as few as 10 minutes each day, can help you control stress, decrease anxiety, improve cardiovascular health, and achieve a greater capacity for relaxation.”

There are several popular meditation techniques. (This website goes into greater detail.) Two of the most common methods are called concentration meditation and mindfulness meditation. According to this site, concentration and mindfulness are both very important in developing strong meditation skills.

One of the best things about meditation might be the fact that you can pretty much do it anywhere. At your desk, in your (parked!) car, in a bench outside your office. If only ten minutes of meditation can make a difference in not only your day, but also your life, why not try it?