Meditation is something often associated with foreign cultures and believed to only be of use to Shamans and monks, but that is quite the contrary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjvo4s7Z4iI

For my whole life, I was plagued with depression and anxiety to the point of crippling panic attacks 6+ times a day. I believed this was normal, unavoidable and inescapable, pumped myself with both legal and illegal narcotics just to numb away what I did not understand. Depression is guilt or remorse for something that happened in the past and anxiety is fear of what may come in the future. So knowing this we can start to formulate an idea of how to be freed of these debilitating ailments.

I had to learn how to live in the now and appreciate the present. Meditation proved key to the resolution of these struggles, with meditation I learned to push thoughts out of my mind, focus on my breathing and feelings now. At first, I required guided meditations to achieve this serenity but with practice and inquiring others, I learned a technique I can employ anywhere anytime.

This technique is box breathing, called this because a box has four sides. Knowing this we can understand breathing in 4 seconds/ hold for 4/ out for 4/ hold for 4. you do not need to cross your legs or sit up straight although this is what most people think when meditation is brought up. Just find a comfortable position and relax. This simple way of meditation can prove to be a cornerstone of growth in mental and physical calmness.

Meditation has even been known to treat many other health issues such as Asthma, insomnia and stress-related sicknesses. There is no downside to the practice of meditation so why not try it out and see if it can provide you the relief and freedom from what I thought was an unavoidable part of my life. Take 10-15 minutes each day in the morning, at lunch or before bed to treat yourself to this underrated practice for a better life.