Meditations for Stress
Meditations for Stress

Different Types of Meditation for Stress

stress relief activities

Introduction:

Stress as we all know can make us anxious, worried or nervous. Stress can also have physical manifestations in form of high blood pressure, increased heart rate and lifestyle disorders such as diabetes, thyroid conditions, heart diseases and cholesterol issues. You might have tried varied interventions such as exercise, sleep, aromatherapy or even yoga. But, have you tried even few minutes of meditation? Well, if you haven’t, then do explore meditation to gain that elusive calm and inner peace.

Just like yoga, meditation practise is inexpensive and does not require any special gear or equipment. What’s more, you can practise meditation at any place and at any time. Be it your office desk or your home, meditation can rejuvenate your body and mind even on the go!

What is Meditation?

Although meditation was practised in ancient times for purposes of spiritual enlightenment and exploring the mystical life forces, today, it is followed to alleviate stress and tension. Meditation for stress is looked upon as a kind of mind-body alternative therapy. Practising meditation can ensue a deeper level of relaxation and a calm mind. Focussing your attention while eliminating distracting or jumbled thoughts which might be causing you stress is at the core of any meditation practise. For the unversed, this may sound a tad bit difficult. However, with regular and devoted practise, meditation can lead to better emotional as well as physical outcomes.

Does Meditation Helps to Relieve Stress?

As we have already enunciated, stress management with meditation elucidates a sense of calm and balance that benefits emotional and overall well-being of a person. For the naysayers, the benefits of meditation do not end with a meditation session, but helps you to carry out your activities more calmly and mindfully. Moreover, meditation also helps to better manage symptoms of certain medical disorders that you might be suffering from. Research suggests that meditation for stress helps to better manage conditions  like anxiety, asthma, insomnia, depression, pain conditions and even heart disease. However, it should be noted that meditation is not a replacement for conventional medical treatment that you might be undergoing, but should be practised as a gainful intervention that will support your other treatment.

Meditation for stress relief can have the following emotional benefits:

  • Handling stressful situations with a new and altered perspective
  • Relieving negative thoughts and emotions
  • Increased self-awareness
  • Developing tolerance and patience for handling stressful situations
  • Learning to live in the moment
  • Enhanced creativity and imagination
  • Skill building to better manage stress

     

Types of Meditation

Achieving a tranquil and relaxed state of mind is the ultimate purpose of any meditation practise. However, there are different ways through which a balanced state of mind can be achieved. Let us delve into some types of meditation techniques that are practised across different parts of the world.

 

  • Mindfulness Meditation

This meditation evolved from the Buddhist teachings and is the most popular form of meditation that is practised especially in the West. In this meditation for stress management, you simply observe the thoughts that come to your mind. You should not judge or get overly involved in such thoughts. Awareness with concentration is at the crux of this meditation. You can focus your attention on your breath or an object while being aware of your feelings and thoughts. Mindfulness meditation is generally practised by those people who are practising meditation without guidance.

 

  • Focussed Meditation

Focussed meditation for stress relief involves concentration by employing any of our five senses. For instance, you can focus on your breath or focus on an external object like a candle flame or mala beads. You can also focus by hearing the sounds of a gong or simply gaze at the moon. Though this practise may sound easy, but initially you may have difficulties in holding your focus for longer durations. Its quite possible that your thoughts might wander. In such situations, simply refocus your attention on the object in question.

 

  • Mantra Meditation

This type of meditation involves silently chanting a word, phrase or thought to do away with distracting thoughts.

 

  • Transcendental Meditation (TM)

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi founded this meditation technique which has been studied at length by the scientific community. Similar to a mantra meditation, transcendental meditation also involves repetition of an assigned word or phrase, especially given by a certified TM practitioner in a certain way. Your body settles in a prolonged state of rest and relaxation while your mind slowly drifts towards a calm state. 

 

  • Progressive Relaxation

Also referred to as body-scan meditation, progressive relaxation is an effective meditation for stress relief. Most often, this meditation involves gradually tightening and then relaxing a muscle group in the body. This is done for all the muscle groups throughout the body. This technique may help you to imagine that a soothing wave is flowing through your being to release tension and stress. Progressive relaxation is usually practised to unwind and relieve stress before bedtime.

 

Besides these types of meditation techniques, stress management with meditation can also involve simple activities like engaging in prayer or even walking amidst tranquil nature. Reading out from poems or religious texts such as ‘Bhagvad Gita’ or ‘Bible’ and then contemplating on their meaning is also a kind of meditative practise. 

 

Features of Meditation

From the above different types of meditation, you can easily surmise that different meditative practises have niche features that help you meditate. Below mentioned are some common features that a meditative practise may include:

  • Quiet setting
  • Relaxed breathing
  • Focussing attention
  • Sitting in a comfortable position with an upright posture
  • Positive attitude

     

Takeaway

Mastering a meditative practise takes time and patience. However, don’t let this thought of doing meditation perfectly add to your stress. You can visit meditation centres or sign up for instructor led group classes. You can also practise meditation all by yourself. Make sure that a meditative practise suits your lifestyle and situations. Some people might have ample time to meditate while some of you may need to squeeze out a few minutes from your busy schedule. So, whenever you are practising meditation, keep in mind that stress management with meditation can be achieved only when you practise it with love and gratitude without judging your meditative skills.

Yoga Poses for Back Pain FAQs

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Yoga can help manage back pain caused by:

  • Poor posture or prolonged sitting
  • Muscle imbalances or tightness
  • Weak core and back muscles
  • Herniated discs (in some cases)

Stress-related tension
Always check with a doctor or physiotherapist if your pain is chronic or severe.

Some beginner-friendly and effective poses include:

  • Cat-Cow Stretch (Marjaryasana–Bitilasana)
  • Child’s Pose (Balasana)
  • Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
  • Sphinx Pose
  • Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)

Supine Twist
Each of these helps stretch and strengthen your spine and surrounding muscles.

For best results, aim for 15–30 minutes, 3 to 5 times a week. Consistency is key. Even short daily sessions can provide noticeable relief over time.

Yoga and physiotherapy complement each other beautifully. Physiotherapy focuses on clinical recovery, while yoga maintains flexibility, builds strength, and supports long-term wellness. For best results, consider integrating both under professional guidance.

Yoga can help—but only with the right modifications and guidance. Avoid deep forward bends or twisting poses unless approved by a healthcare provider. It's best to consult a physiotherapist or yoga therapist for a tailored plan.

If done incorrectly, yes. Overstretching, poor alignment, or practicing advanced poses too soon can aggravate your back. Always:

  • Start slow
  • Use prop
  • Follow certified instruction
  • Avoid poses that strain the spine

Not at all! Many yoga poses for back pain are beginner-friendly and focus on gentle stretching and strengthening. You can start with online or in-person guided sessions designed specifically for pain relief.

Yes, especially if the sessions are led by certified instructors or therapists who understand musculoskeletal conditions. Look for programs that offer personalized plans, modifications, and step-by-step guidance.

Some people feel better after just one session, especially when pain is related to muscle tightness or stress. For long-term or chronic back pain, 2–4 weeks of consistent practice usually brings noticeable improvements.

With over 8 years of experience as a Yoga Therapist, I blend ancient Yogic wisdom with contemporary research to manage chronic pain and improve overall well-being. Holding a Master's in Yoga Therapy and currently pursuing a PhD, my expertise extends to areas like weight loss, flexibility, stress, diabetes, and prenatal care. My research on the effects of Yoga on Musculoskeletal disorders was recognized in the 'UGC Care Journal'. As the Head of Yoga at FlexifyMe, my dedicated approach supports individuals globally, offering specialized online Yoga and Physiotherapy sessions, emphasizing a vision of a pain-free world.

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