Don’t Forget to Breathe

How meditating techniques can help high school and college students cope with stress

If not dealt with properly, stress can wreak havoc on your academic performance. With so many activities at school, so many projects to accomplish, and so many exams to review, the debilitating effects of stress can creep up on you; so much so sometimes that you just want to give up.

But here’s some good news for you. You can bid goodbye to some of that stress through relaxation and meditation, says AHEAD Tutorial & Review Center tutor.  Here are some exercises that may help ease your body and mind.

The flower exercise: Place a flower on a vase. With your eyes half open, look at the flower for a few minutes. Concentrate. Try to imagine the flower invading the inner recesses of your heart, and that it is growing inside you. Now, focus on a particular part of the flower such as the petal. Concentrate. Go back and forth from the petal to the flower and then back again. Make your mind absolutely quiet, still, and relaxed. Now, close your eyes and picture the flower in your mind.

Quality time: Sit with a good posture and a straight back. Make an effort to feel the movement of your muscles from head to toe. Relax. Feel your muscles softening up. Now, focus on your chest and imagine a vast sea of peace inside. Maintain this posture for a few minutes until you completely feel the tension slipping out of your body.

Mantra exercise: A mantra helps improve your concentration and soothe your mind. Chant the word “AUM” for about 50 times. Chant louder and louder as you feel the stress draining out of your body. You may also choose other words such as love or peace. But avoid chanting like a robot. Instead, focus on your words and the energy this brings.

Breath in, breathe out: Breathing helps to calm your nerves and re-energize your spirit. At first, breathe normally for a few minutes. As you inhale that breath of fresh air, imagine breathing in a new scent of positive energy and allowing that to invade your head, chest, arms, and legs. As you exhale, imagine the negative energy draining out of you. Keep the center of the breathing in your chest and heart.