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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate NEWS NOW Our View: Cheers to jobs, fish; jeers to canceled insurance ... From the council: Medford-Alba sister city bond is a special one ... Emergency Services ... Our View: Cheers to jobs, fish; jeers to canceled insurance ... From the council: Medford-Alba sister city bond is a special one ... Emergency Services ... Get A Life: The gift of meditation Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 15, 2014 at 12:01 AM Posted Dec. 15, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News By Loretta LaRoche More Content Now The holiday season is upon us, and that means that many individuals will be adding another level of stress to their already stressed-out lives. Many individuals will fret over what to buy, how much to spend, who’s coming to dinner and how it will all be done while maintaining the spirit of good will toward men. I would like to recommend a gift for yourself, which could be one that you keep and use for the rest of your life. The gift is meditation, and if you use it regularly, you will find yourself able to handle not only the holidays but many of life’s inevitable stressors. Pioneering research by Dr. Herbert Benson and others has shown that meditation can have a profound impact on our lives. It not only slows down our brainwaves, but it can reduce stress and lower your blood pressure. If you’ve never practiced any meditation techniques before, it’s simple enough to get started.The critical first step is that you just do it. Find 10 to 20 minutes in your daily routine that can be yours and yours alone. It’s best if it’s at the same time each day, and for many, it’s easiest in the morning. Chose a quiet spot where you can sit in a comfortable chair, or if sitting is painful, lie down. Do what you can to eliminate any predictable distractions in your household. Yes, this can be difficult, but letting your family know that you need quiet time to be calmer and in a better mood just might involve them in the process. Then close your eyes, and begin to relax your muscles by tensing and releasing them from the toes up. It is estimated that we have 60,000 thoughts a day coursing through our minds. Let them come and go without trying to get rid of them. Just acknowledge them by saying “oh, well” and continue. Now pick a word or a short phrase, one that evokes a feeling of calm and serenity. Begin breathing slowly and naturally and repeat your focus word silently as you exhale. If you prefer, you can also eliminate the word and simply concentrate on the sound of your breathing. When you feel 10 or 15 peaceful minutes have gone by, gently open your eyes. Initially you might want to compare how your body feels before you’ve meditated vs. after. I’m sure you’ll feel a difference. Don’t jump up the minute that you’re done. Allow yourself to come back slowly and peacefully. Try to practice as often as possible, you’ll begin to see a noticeable difference in how you react to life’s challenges. Give yourself the gift of inner peace, the gift money can’t buy. Author, humorist, PBS star and Fortune 500 trainer Loretta LaRoche lives in Plymouth, Massachusetts. To share your pet peeves, questions or comments, write to The Humor Potential, 50 Court St., Plymouth, MA 02360. Visit her website at stressed.com . MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 15, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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