I do try to meditate. Ill lay there and try to just focus on my breathing. I don't practice as often as I'd like but at least what I am doing is a start. I've read that meditation actually changes your brain chemistry and the result is a more calm and centered you. Problem is though is I have a really hard time telling my brain to shut up! Im constantly thinking "what's wrong with me what's going to happen am I going crazy!?"ugh it never ends...... what about you do
you meditate?

Meditation has one of the best natural methods of reducing resting anxiety levels, and it does take practice to get it to be effective for you.

The brain will focus on a single word, phrase, scene, or whatever works for you, and this depends on what your pattern of thinking is like as to what will work the best for you.

Best wishes.

Thanks for the replies. =)

Chell~ I don't meditate but I've always heard or read so much good stuff about it.....I think I'll look some stuff up on it today and maybe delve into it a little. =)

Mideyebrow~ like you said I'm figuring practice and commitment to it are such important keys to get maximum results...hope I can get a whirl and not let something come in and distract me..lol :P

that would be "give it a whirl"....not "get a whirl" LOL :\

I like "get a whirl" since that's how I feel when I'm trying to find my inner peace. Between puppies barking, electronic buzzing, and the other sounds, it can be prove to be relaxing just to separate the sounds first.
Best wishes!

Erica - I recommend trying the free online guided meditation recordings at www.tarabrach.com and http://imcw.org/Talks.aspx including the Introduction to Meditation videos at http://imcw.org/Talks/SeriesDetail/SeriesID/19.aspx. I do these guided meditations a few times a week and it makes a big difference in my mood and thinking. When you are getting started with meditation, i say don't worry about whether you do it regularly enough. Just try it and see how it works for you on that given day and if it seems helpful, trying do it more regularly.

Thanks everybody...yep I'm definitely going to check this out now....thanks for the links MLinDc2012

Yes I do and it helps a whole lot! It's really mindfullness meditation and I practice everything that I get from Jon Kabat-Zinn. He offers quided meditations on cd's and has a lot of books that help you along and concentrate on mindfullness and being in the now ,breath by breath and moment by moment. It's like anything else. It involves a lot of practice and a whole lot of patience and commitment. I think it's something you have to do every day to benefiet. I think he says it's all about non doing and not to strive for anything and to just be. I know it sounds like a lot of woo woo but it's all about quieting the mind with anxiety. I think that you should try it and kep at it. You know, What can it hurt! good luck!

Yes. I practice mindfulness meditation. A good resource for this particular style is Jon Kabat-Zinn (commonly referred to as the founder of mindfulness meditation in medicine/mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques ) and any of his associates. There are all sorts of guided meditations available as well for the beginner. You can put them in your iPod or listen to them on your computer.

I have attached a link with free audio mediations for you to look at.

http://www.fragrantheart.com/cms/free-audio-meditations

Thanks Garrett & MC for sharing the recommendations and links!

Here is a few more links you might like:

http://life.gaiam.com/gaiam-life-meditation-rooms

http://www.meditationroom.org/rooms/nature-room.html

Thanks to everyone for all the great information and links...good stuff. =)

Absolutely. It really works. Go to selfhypnosis.com. The Dr is works closely with deepok chopra. Let me know if you find anything on the site that is helpful. He also has several books ive read that were really helpful for anxiety/stress management and meditation for beginners to advance. I think the Dr name is Brian Alman. If interested I can send you the book titles and websites that were helpful

Absolutely. It really works. Go to selfhypnosis.com. The Dr is works closely with deepok chopra. Let me know if you find anything on the site that is helpful. He also has several books ive read that were really helpful for anxiety/stress management and meditation for beginners to advance. I think the Dr name is Brian Alman. If interested I can send you the book titles and websites that were helpful

I'm working on mindfulness to help reduce my anxiety and depression - while I don't meditate much, I do think about it :)

Here are a couple of things I do. I try to stay in the moment. Listen to what's going on. Observe with my senses the present. The touch, the scent, etc., I can do this while driving by asking myself how the steering wheel feels - what colors are the cars around me, etc.

Another thing I like is called the chocolate meditation. I've taught it to my kids and constantly encourage them to practice it, not just on chocolate either, but with everything in life. Here's how it works:
Get a piece of your favorite chocolate - something you don't have often. Take a few minutes just for self to enjoy this piece of chocolate. Start by placing it in your mouth and notice the texture. Notice the smell, the feeling of the chocolate as it starts to melt. The flavor(s) - the distinct variations of sweetness and cocoa that ebb and flow while you let the chocolate begin to melt in your mouth. Don't chew it - savor it. Begin to chew is slowly, softly, embracing the each second of the act as deserving of your complete attention.

Now do this when you eat your dinner. Do this with your entire day :)

Good luck!