One aspect of financial stress, or any kind of stress, is how stress affects our thinking. Meditation is one way of taking control, consciously choosing relaxation over worry, anger, fear or all the other emotions triggered by financial uncertainty.

Does this pattern sound familiar? We experience financial insecurity, this creates stress; the media, our everyday conversations, the stock market, all add to our fears and therefore our stress. Stress leads to more stress. Worse case scenarios abound.

At times like these, it’s easy to forget that we have many, many ways at our fingertips to reinforce security, relax our minds, and remember times when we experienced confidence, optimism, and security. These are the images, memories, words and thoughts we need to focus on in order to relax and de-stress.

Relaxation unlocks the door to emotional intelligence. We then have access to beneficial problem solving, positive solution making and healthy psychological wellbeing. Meditation is but one way to make the shift from stress to relaxation.

There are 5 ways that meditation can help us relax and let go of financial stress.

1. We consciously choose a quiet, relaxing place where we will be undisturbed, and gather whatever accessories will help us achieve our goals: music, candles, incense, dimmed lighting, pictures or other items to focus our vision and thoughts on.

2. Assuming a balanced, erect posture has an immediate, positive effect. Literally, you can immediately feel a difference in your attitude when you “keep your chin up”.

3. Focusing on your breathing flushes your body with invigorating oxygen and helps regulate your heartbeat and thoughts as well.

4. Acknowledging your thoughts and emotions, their sources, and then choosing to release them, is cathartic.

5. Accepting that you have the right to peace, and that the way to achieve this is by controlling your thoughts, means no one can ever take peace away from you again. This is powerful!
You cannot expect to totally escape financial worry, fear or frustration, but by taking the time to meditate, you will have explored one alternative way to take control of your life.