In a Nutshell

Develop Healthy Body and Mind With Meditation

It’s free! It’s simple! You can do it in the privacy of your own home! These are only a few of the many benefits of meditation. This practice of relaxation provides deep rest through a lower heart rate. One of the primary benefits of mediation is a reduction of stress and the ability to deal with stress more effectively. Through meditation you can lower your levels of stress hormones and improve airflow to the lungs.

Other advantages include increased creativity and a decrease in anxiety. Mediation also helps alleviate depression, irritability and moodiness. Creating a feeling of peace through meditation increases inner calm.

To start your mediation practice, set a goal of meditation every day. You can begin with just a few minutes and work up to 10 or 15 minutes a day. The first step is to create a relaxing environment. Pick a spot you can return to each day, maybe a cushion on the floor or a straight-back chair. Turn off the television, the phone and any other distractions. Soft, relaxing music is fine, but not a necessity. Make sure your back is straight and you are comfortable. Lying down is not recommended because you might fall asleep.

Keep your teeth slightly apart and the tip of the tongue against the roof of your mouth behind the front teeth. Close your eyes or focus on an object. It may be a candle flame or whatever your eyes happen to fall upon. Relax your entire body.

In the simplest form of meditation, you focus on the breath. Thoughts will go in and out of your mind. Notice them, but don’t attach significance to them. If you find your mind wondering, just come back to the breath. If your mind needs a word on which to focus, pick one with meaning for you such as peace or joy. Breathe deeply through the nostrils from the abdomen, not the chest.

Don’t expect to meditate with a completely empty mind for hours right away. Mediation is a lifelong practice with physical, mental and spiritual benefits.

Telecommunications Offers Choices

When it comes to making phone calls, consumers have an array of options to choose from or combine for just the right level of service. Here are some facts on what’s available according to the Consumer Reports website:

• Long-distance calling cards. These can be quite affordable and are widely available. You have to dial in and punch in numbers though, which can be quite cumbersome if you do a lot of long-distance calling. One caveat: Beware of connection fees and other add-on fees that reduce your savings.

• Cell phone packages. Taking the time to choose the right package for your level of use is key to prevent unnecessary overspending. Also, if you underestimate your use and end up paying a bundle for time talked beyond your plan, you could blow your budget.

• VoIP. If you already subscribe to broadband, you can make calls by downloading software and making your long-distance calls via Voice over Internet Protocol. However, relying completely on VoIP is not recommended currently because of the possibility of power outages and potential problems with 911 services.

• Landline packages. Check out prices for unlimited landline packages. Most experts are not recommending doing without a landline just yet for safety reasons.