"If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got"

People seem to have higher stress levels than ever these days, despite the fact that we have so much technology around us it is supposed to make our lives easier. Everyone seems to be going around in a stress induced frenzy!

Most of the time, a bit of stress is a good thing. We need stress to make us do things. If we didn't have the stress of worrying about getting to an appointment on time - would we bother going? If we didn't have the worry about the deadline for our work project - would we ever commit to submitting it? These are just 2 examples of how stress helps us to get off our butt and DO SOMETHING.

However, people do too much. We never stop.

Even when we are supposed to be relaxing, we are always doing something to stimulate the mind. Music is a form of stimulation. Television couldn't be anymore stimulating, even if you find the programme 'boring' the mind has to work so hard to compute all of the images and sounds that are going into your brain.

So ask yourself, when was the last time you did absolutely nothing? I mean, nothing at all, not even sitting quietly and thinking, just...nothing?

Try this & feel your stress levels plummet...

Take 5 Simple Meditation

Step 1 Breathe

• Sit or lie comfortably and just breathe deeply - in through the nose and out through the mouth.
• Concentrate only on your breathing.
• Let it go into a natural rhythm.
• Breathe in 'peace'. Breathe out 'tension'.
• Relax and let go of all remaining tension in your body.
• After approx 5 minutes or when you feel ready, open your eyes, becoming conscious of your surroundings before you get up.

Have a glass of water or fruit tea, but try to avoid caffeine and alcohol, at least for a few hours.

Step 2 Try adding in simple affirmations towards the end of the meditation

'I am happy, calm and positive'
'I am totally relaxed'
'My mind, body and soul is one again'
'I choose to be positive in every area of my life'

Don't overcomplicate things, just pick one or two that feel the most appropriate to you at the time and stick to them.

You can say pretty much anything as long as it is positive (ie don't say 'I am not going to get angry' say 'I am calm and in control').

Step 3 Add in some music.

You can also try using music to make your meditation deeper. When I meditate, I feel like I've slept for about 8 hours and I only do it for up to an hour at a time, usually much less as I have 2 children!

If you have an IPod or MP3, source some music which is specifically aimed at people who meditate.

• Make sure it doesn't have any lyrics, chanting or strange noises such as animals, gongs(!) or birds.
• This is not the time for power ballads; as much as you may love your favourite music, I can absolutely guarantee that meditation is NOT the time to listen to it.
• Keep it simple. It should simply wash over you, not engulf you.

You can find lots of free music that you can use on ITunes or videos for meditation on you tube if you don't have an iPod.
Tip: If you are meditating during the day, use headphones to block out any noises from the house - it really works to send you into a deep state of relaxation.

Try these 3 simple things for the next couple of weeks, gradually building up your time from 5 minutes to 15 minutes and see how you get on - I can pretty much guarantee that you will feel calmer, more in control and at peace.

Remember; if stress is a major issue for you, nothing will change until YOU make the choice to change your everyday behaviour and that means taking a few minutes out each day to de-stress.