Benefits Derived from Meditation

Benefits derived from meditation include: relaxation, boosting the immune system, improving breathing and the cardiovascular system and increasing focus. "Meditation helps create positivism and resiliency by moving a person out of a negative loop and fortifying their spirit inside and out. Moms don't have time to sit still, but with an endless to-do list awaiting them, they need to find a way to meditate on the go," said Debbie Mandel, a stress management expert and author of: Addicted to Stress: a Woman's 7 Step Program to Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity in Life.

Boosts the Immune System

Meditation boosts the immune system with positivism reducing the inflammatory stress response which suppresses the immune system and research shows that meditation releases antibodies. "Remember the placebo effect is powerful, so what you meditate on can uplift your spirits which improves your anti-bodies." Mandel said.

Meditation Tip: You can do a walking meditation focusing on each step as you put your foot down. You can give each step an intention.

Reduces Stress, Increases Relaxation

Practicing meditation regularly allows the effects to linger longer than the short period after. Just as regular exercise boosts the metabolism continuously, so does regular meditation reduce the effects of stress and increase the body's ability to relax. "Some studies have found benefits of months after regular practice. It is related to stress reduction and positivism." Mandel said.

Meditation Tip: You can sit comfortably and focus on rhythmic breathing - inhale and exhale - and then think with each breath I now relax my heart.

Improves Breathing and the Cardiovascular System

Breathing exercises can be a form of meditation where you focus on the inhalation and exhalation. You concentrate on your breathing which is normally involuntary and without thought. Remember breathing is the first thing you did on your own, so coming back to your breaths helps you focus on you! According to Mandel, breathing exercises can help restore the body's respiratory balance when stressed, because when you are stressed, you breathe shallowly and inefficiently. Deeper breathing like inhaling two counts through the nose and exhaling four counts through the nose help improve respiration.

Meditation Tip: You can visualize your favorite place on earth and experience it using your five senses.

Ease and Support Medical Conditions, Including Pregnancy

Meditation reduces stress and anxiety so common with pregnancy. Stress hormones affect both mother and fetus, sometimes causing pre-term labor. "Meditation helps you feel your body and connect with the creativity within and so, is ideal to calm the worry loop so many pregnant women get caught and focus on the beautiful life within." Mandel said.

Meditation Tip: You can envision a golden ray of light entering your body from head to toe and creating a beautiful energy