Finding calm amidst the chaos can often feel like an overwhelming challenge, yet we already have the power—our breath. This is the connection to meditation and mindfulness. According to doctors and many health practitioners, embracing these practices not only enhances well-being, but it can also contribute to preserving life itself.

Meditating regularly has become a foundation of holistic health, with the ability to significantly lower blood pressure as one of its many benefits. Beyond the physiological effects, meditation provides us with the mental stamina to manage the stress and uncertainty we all face daily.

The beauty of meditation is its accessibility and ease of learning. With an open mind and a willingness to explore, we can easily begin a journey of self-discovery using techniques such as breathing, guided imagery, music and crystal bowls as guides along the way.

Meditation is just skimming the surface. Imagine having the ability to manage our energy anywhere, with anyone, regardless of what is happening around us. We can even learn how other people trigger feelings and emotions that are not relevant to our mood at that time.

The first step on the road of peace is using our breath. When we are stressed or anxious, we hold our breath without even realizing how often it becomes shallow. To experience it right now:

• Sit up comfortably, feel your feet on the floor, close your eyes, and take three deep breaths.
• Pay close attention and feel how deeply we can move our breath into the body; imagine we can breathe to our feet.
• Now do it again, but on the next three deep breaths, imagine we are breathing in only what is beneficial for us right now (peace and calm) and as we exhale, imagine we are exhaling all the stuff that stresses us out.

This is meditation.

Experience the path to inner harmony every Thursday Morning with Lois from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at bit.ly/WeeklyOnlineCirclewLois. For more information, call 201-906-5767 or visit LoisKramerPerez.com.