Progressive Relaxation: A Simple Technique for Zen!

I took a meditation for childbirth class way back when I was pregnant with my first. I’ve been a firm believer in the power of meditation ever since; I slept like a log the night of the class, and for a pregnant woman, that’s pretty powerful. I like to meditate when I’m stressed out or particularly aggravated, even if it’s just a few deep breaths in and out.

Meditation doesn’t have to mean an hour with candles lit, after all. I feel more zen even within a few minutes of focused breathing. If you are a meditation newbie or just want a little guidance, try this quick video from Grokker (fun news: we’re affiliates!). It’s the first in its Relax series and at just 12 minutes, it really packs in the relaxation and shows you a progressive relaxation technique you can try on your own. Just make sure you’re in a comfortable seat in a quiet place and hit play!

10-Minute Progressive Relaxation

I found this meditation to be deeply relaxing, even if I did find myself thinking “To-do list! Coffee! Text message!” a couple of times during it. If that happens to you, just bring your focus back to your breath and your relaxed muscles. Even if you think you can’t spare the time for meditation, it’s worth it for the stress relief and increased productivity afterward. It’s a 21-day series, so I’m going to try to make it a habit.

Do you meditate or is it too difficult with all the kids hollering? —Erin