If you are interested in starting a meditation practice of your own, first read the following sections in which many different meditation techniques are described to find one that appeals to you. Then, set aside a time each day — first thing in the morning, just before dinner, or just before bed are all popular choices — and practice. Practice, practice, practice.

At first, meditation can be tough. You'll probably find it hard to keep your mind focused. Soon, you'll learn to recognize your mind's wanderings as natural, and, as you gently redirect your mind to its point of focus, you'll stop judging yourself and learn simply to be. And learning simply to be is a crucial and significant step toward a lifetime of successful stress management.