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TUESDAY, August 5 (HealthDayNews) -- A daily dose of meditation may be just the mental medication you need to combat fatigue and stress.

Studies have shown meditation can be beneficial to your health, says the July issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource. It can help you relax, slow your breathing and heart rate and decrease muscle tension.

Meditation can also lessen your body's response to adrenaline, which can increase blood pressure and make blood more likely to clot.

Here are some meditation tips:

• Focus on your breathing. Breathe in and out through your nose while paying attention to some aspect of your breathing, such as the pause between breaths.
• Focus on a word, phrase or prayer while you meditate.
• Focus on the moment by becoming aware of physical sensations, sounds and thoughts. Allow them to pass through your mind without judging or getting involved with them.
• Meditate every day. Aim for 20 minutes a day and do it even if you feel you're wasting your time. Return to your focus -- that word, phrase or prayer -- every time your mind starts to wander.

Eventually, you may discover you're able to calm yourself in stressful situations and your meditation may improve your health and well-being.

More information

Here's where you can learn more about meditation.