Many Buddhist schools employ different techniques in meditation. Some may focus on such practices as breathing meditation while others on movements. The diversity can be so wide ranging that there are a multitude of variations available. Most Buddhist techniques can be school specific. Only a few masters aim to combine and categorize the techniques from several Buddhist traditions.

One of the known meditation techniques is that being practiced by Western Order meditation master Kamalashila. The teacher identifies that there are five basic methods to be used as a traditional set for meditation. Each method can be used as an antidote to one of the five primary obstructions to Enlightenment- distraction, hatred, craving, conceit and ignorance.

One of the five basic methods is the mindfulness of breathing. This involves the practice of tranquility meditations. This method helps to counteract distraction and aims to develop better concentration. Another of the five basic methods laid out is the Metta Bhavana. This method includes the four brahma viharas and is used to counteract sentimental attachment or hatred. This method aims to develop loving kindness in a person.

Another of the five basic methods in Buddhist meditation is the contemplation of impermanence. This method can help counteract craving and develop inner peace and the feeling of freedom. The six element practice is based on meditation involving the six elements- earth, water, space, air, fire and consciousness. The six element practice method of meditation counteracts craving and develop instead some clarity in a person regarding to self. The fifth basic method of meditation is the contemplation of conditionality which aims to counteract ignorance and instead develop wisdom and compassion. There are also other Buddhist meditation techniques not identified by the five basic methods. This includes different methods of visualizations, meditation by sitting and the walking meditation.

Another of the many techniques used in Buddhist meditation include the five types of Zen as grouped by Kuei-feng. In this case, the Zen practices were grouped according to five categories. Although mostly common for Zen practitioners, the techniques are also applicable to Buddhist meditation methods. One of the types is the “bonpu” or “ordinary” meditation that is done to achieve physical and mental well-being in absence of any spiritual goal. There is also the “gedo” or “outside way” which is meditation that is used for non-Buddhist purposes. The third is the “shojo” or “small vehicle” which is meditation used in pursuit of self-liberation or nirvana.

The fourth of the Zen Buddhist meditation techniques as grouped by Kuei-feng is the “daijo” or “great vehicle” which is the meditation in pursuit of achieving self-realization to experience the unity of all things. Then there is also the “saijojo” or “supreme vehicle” which is the meditation aimed to realize the Buddha nature as imminent in all beings.

A little stress in life is good if it invokes motivation and challenges us to perform better in a healthy way. But chronic stress, constant worry leads to anxiety and affects our health.

If you are feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed about something, here’s a simple step you can do to overcome the situation. Stop all activity, think about what made you anxious, take a few deep breaths, allow your nerves to calm down and then take an appropriate action of your choice from the list below.

Here is a list of few things you could do to help you relieve stress

1. Eat properly and do regular exercises

2. Set yourself targets to achieve. Your goals should be realistic and practical.

3. Try to complete the most important work first, and then the other work. Learn to prioritize and remove the unwanted tasks.

4. Reduce the urge to be a perfectionist. You are human and bound to make mistakes somewhere down the line.

5. Be flexible in your approach.

6. Avoid excess competition, but do not fear from competition either. Competitions help to bring out the best from you.

7. Do not buy on criticism, but constructive criticism is not to be neglected.

8. Do not worry too much if you fall short of expectations.

9. Exercise control over your temper

10. Push away negative thoughts

11. Take time out for yourself and spend some time alone thinking about the activities you planned for today, and make a plan for tomorrow

12. Keep quiet when someone’s yelling at you.

13. Keep smiling and be cheerful, it will de-stress others around you.

14. Try to keep the atmosphere light. Try to crack a joke when you are stressed out.

15. Practice meditation and yoga. This will help you relax.

16. Call a friend or your loved ones and speak to them for a while

17. Watch a funny movie or video on the internet

18. Take a massage followed by a hot shower

19. Indian head massage

20. If you like dancing, dance to your favorite music

Remember, when stressed out, it is important to take an action to relieve stress. Don’t make a mistake by doing negative things like drugs and alcohol. Be positive in your approach, think good, do good and only good will happen to you.

When stressed out, your body undergoes changes through which you prepare to fight or run away from the situation. This change causes release of cortisol from your brain. If this response doesn’t get reverted, chronic stress is caused which interferes with the hormones responsible for sexual activities. The result is lower libido and loss of sex drive. Try to relieve stress and learn stress management techniques.

Many people are so occupied with their professional and social responsibilities, that they feel exhausted at the end of the day. This is very common for women who work in the day, take care of children in evenings and have to do the chores of household activities. Being packed with work, there’s hardly any time for you to relax. Your energies are drained as soon as you complete the work and only feel like sleeping. You don’t get into the mood for sex. Even if you are in a mood for sex, you hardly find time for sex. Try to be less busy by cutting down unwanted activities, you’ll find some free time and have sex to boost your mood. Try to complete the important jobs first and seek assistance from your spouse on some work. He’ll be more than helpful, especially since he is getting sex afterwards.

Relationship issues are another reason for lower sex drive. Conflicts and arguments often arise in a relationship. Work through tough times and resolve the matter. Support your partner, and communicate with each other. Understand each other’s expectations. Sex after a fight is often a great boost, as sex brings people closer.

Want to find out more truth about sex and stress, here are a few excerpts from researches

• Arizona state university studied 58 middle-aged women. They stressed the women through out the day, and their partners got intimate with them the same night. The next morning, these women were in better mood. Orgasm has many benefits for health and stress relief. But when these women had an orgasm without a partner, their mood was still negative. Positive physical contact is important in relieving stress.
• These women had a better sex drive on the next day. Being in good mood meant their partners got more physical affection and sexual activity.
• Another study revealed that positive physical contact helped women relieve stress. Emotional stress alone didn’t work effectively.

It can hence be said that having sex when stressed out leads you to good mood. This good mood will get you good sex and very often.