To begin meditating, let your eyes close. Focus your attention on the sound of your own breathing ‑- the easiest form of meditation a new student can do, according to Dr. Borysenko. Let your belly expand on the inhale and contract on the exhale, allowing the breath deeper into your lungs and encouraging the physiological effects of relaxation. Anytime your mind begins to wander ‑- and it will, so don't be hard on yourself when you realize it has happened again ‑- gently bring it back to the sound of your breath.

Bottom Line
Just this action of focusing on your breath for 10 minutes a day is enough. "Most people make meditating overcomplicated," Dr. Borysenko says. "They think they should get up at 4:30, do a half hour of yoga, a half hour of meditation and some inspirational reading. When it becomes too exhausting, they revert to doing nothing." By learning how to maintain a simple meditation practice, we can begin to figure out how to make our busy lives less complicated as well.

Let our meditation teacher take you through a simple beginner's meditation. Click here to listen to her guided relaxation.