High school is exciting, but it can be overwhelming. With an increased workload, challenging academics and an abundance of extracurricular activities, it’s easy to become stressed and caught up in the hustle and bustle of it all. While it may be difficult to find a few hours to relax, it’s easy to take a few minutes to re-align yourself through simple meditations. Deep breathing, visualization, mantras and other techniques offer opportunities to focus inward and disconnect from all our present worries and obligations.

        Many teens may hear the term “meditation” and assume that it is something boring or something difficult, but it is neither. Anyone can meditate—the secret is trying different forms to find what’s right for you. When I first started, I listened to short, guided meditations online that walk you into a state of calm. At first it took a lot of concentration to clear my mind, but with practice it seemed easier to quiet my thoughts and relax in the silence. Once I started meditating on a regular basis, I no longer needed an audio recording to help me relax—it just came naturally.

        The benefits of meditation seem to be endless. I have found it especially helpful to put myself in a positive mindset for the day, to calm down before exams and to listen to my own intuition. It has also allowed me to reflect on each day and recognize all the hidden blessings in my daily routine. I no longer seek validation from other people, as I have become more confident in who I am. Finding the right group of friends used to seem like a daunting task, but now I am more at ease in navigating the diversity of high school friendships.

Hannah Adamson is a junior at high school. She practices meditation and takes ThetaHealing courses with Reshma Shaw in Westfield, New Jersey.