When you think of meditation, you might laugh! It conjures pictures of old white yogis or Buddhist monks with loud, constant chants. The reality is much different.

At its core, meditation is a way of gaining control of processes your body normally does on its own. It’s a way of turning off auto-pilot and re-centering yourself in the moment. While it sounds rather philosophical, the effects are anything but: lowered heart rate, lowered stress level, and better concentration. Naturally, meditation can seriously benefit your mental health.

Meditation’s effect on anxiety depends a lot on its source. However, in combination with therapy, it can be helpful for reducing mental stress. If you want to get started on your own or just try it for fun, here are some helpful tips.