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Meditation is not just for swami-wannabes.  What was once thought "flaky" is now used by the Marines, corporate executives of companies such as General Mills and Google, and students.  Did you know that 40% of all Americans use complementary and alternative treatments, many on the recommendation of their doctor. 

In a recent study by Harvard Medical School, they found that meditation can change your brain.  They had study participants take an 8 week class in meditation and found that the 2 parts of the brain associated with self-awareness and compassion grew while the area associated with stress shrank.

Another study by the University of North Carolina found that people who meditated for 20 minutes a day performed 10 times better than their nonmeditating peers on a test that measured focus.  Sharon Salzberg, author of Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation offers these easy steps for beginners.
1.  Start by practicing 3 times a week, setting a time for 5 minutes.  Sit in a position that is comfortable.
2.  Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.  Focus on your breath and let go of any thoughts.
3.  Every time your mind starts to wander, bring your focus back to your breath.

Meditation helped Rivers Cuomo, lead singer of Weezer, overcome his paralyzing stage fright.  Thirty minutes a day can lower your blood pressure, boost your immune system, and you'll find yourself much calmer.