The guided meditations available here are a part of an open online course "The Science of Well-Being" which is taught by Yale Psychology Professor, Laurie Santos.  Meditation is a practice of intentionally turning your attention away from distracting thoughts toward a single point of reference (e.g., the breath, bodily sensations, compassion, a specific thought, etc.). Research shows that meditation can have a number of positive benefits, including more positive moods, increased concentration, and more feelings of social connection. Find a quiet place and try one of the three meditations posted here. And remember- meditation isn't about the meditation itself; it's about building a skill that we can use later. Lots of people find it hard at first, but stick with it and see if it allows you to feel a bit calmer over time.

The Science of Well-Being: Guided Meditations

Research has shown that a meditation practice is associated with a host of positive benefits. A body scan meditation is less about relaxation and more about awareness and taking inventory of how your body feels in the moment.

Body Scan Guided Meditation - Female Voice

Research has shown that both gratitude and meditation practices are associated with higher levels of happiness. Use this guided meditation to bring awareness to the people and things in your life that you are grateful for.

Gratitude Guided Meditation - Female Voice

Research has shown that Loving Kindness meditations can boost social closeness and implicit liking of strangers (Hutcherson et al. (2008). While this is a laboratory study, the results suggest this simple technique may help increase positive social emotions and decrease social isolation.

The Science of Well-Being: Guided Meditations

YaleUniversity