Meditation is more than just a relaxation technique — it can make you smarter and happier.

All you need is a few minutes out of your day. “Meditation can be the simplest of practices,” he said. “Meditation generally focuses on releasing thoughts about the past and future and becoming grounded in the present moment.”

Some tips from the article:

  1. View meditation as a simple relaxation technique.

  2. Choose a particular style.
    The goal is to pick a practice that “relaxes you enough to the point you feel that inner click.” 

  3. Schedule it.
    “If you can’t spare 3 minutes a day, you need to make big changes to your life.” 

  4. Don’t resist your thoughts.
    Acknowledge your busy brain, and let your thoughts come and go, Blake said. “Meditation is more about introducing peaceful thoughts into your thinking,” he said. 

  5. Reprogram your thoughts.
    It’s hard to meditate when negative thoughts bombard your brain. Blake teaches his students to reprogram their thoughts by using positive, affirming phrases.