Have you ever tried (successfully) to sit still for a few minutes without fidgeting, and simply do nothing? Im willing to wager my Subaru (I love that car) that few of you can answer yes. Society tells us, dont put off for tomorrow what you can do today. That oldie has been bred into our DNA and morphed into the stress of life.

Were obliged to stay alert for exams, to multitask and work overtime, to party with clients and be brilliant the next day to impress the boss. We must echo the latest buzzwords; think ahead of our competitors, be innovators and visionaries while we gobble our food and dash for the next appointment while talking on the cell phone. Oops, wheres the Pepto? What about time with the kids, time to smell the flowers, time for sex and by the way honey, I love you. So whats a person to do? Move to France where food is an art? Move to India where sex is a literature lesson? Or take refuge in a Buddhist monastery, adopt a guru, do yoga and just say Ohmmm?

People invest thousands of dollars attending ashrams and lectures with such inspiring motivational speakers as Wayne W. Dyer, Marianne Williamson, Deepak Chopra, Barbara De Angelis, Ram Dass, Anthony Robbins, Marianne Williamson, to mention a few. These are highly regarded messengers with uplifting messages to better health and a good life. In fact, if you have the money and the time, I highly recommend any or all of them.

But if youre feeling the economic pinch these days, as I am, money and time are in short supply. Heres how to do less and accomplish more with no money and a little timetime by your self and for your self. But it will only benefit you if you do it like brushing your teethregularly.

1) Find a quiet comfortable place (home, office, park, under the stairs).

2) Unless you prefer it, you dont have to sit on the floor in Lotus. Just sit with your back straight so your energy can travel up your spine.

3) Take a few deep breaths and close your eyes. You are not doing this to admire the scenery. That is called contemplation (the sea, the universe, your navel) with your eyes open. You are going to enjoy being with yourself, with eyes closed.

4) Think of a pleasant place or pleasant word. A yoga meditation teacher might give you a mantra. All these methods make it easy for you to go inward rather than constantly directing your senses outward, which we do every minute of the day until were exhausted.

5) I prefer simply to follow the breath. First in, then out, then in, then out. Remember the song from My Fair Lady like breathing in and breathing out

As you follow your breath in and out you will notice the busyness of your busy mind doing its business. Those are your thoughts. Usually theyre about whats for supper or did I remember to lock the door. Dont try to push them away. Since this is an effortless process, dont try to do anything. Trying will prevent you from settling down and experiencing deep relaxation. Just be still and listen to your breath. If you find yourself on a thought, just go back to the breath. Eventually you will not have any thoughts. Theyre still up there somewhere, but youve gone beyond them. By resting in this quiet space you are contacting your own peaceful Self. It is the only place in the universe where you will find absolute peace. After a few minutes slowly open your eyes. You will come out feeling more rested than if youd had an afternoon nap.That restful awareness is deeper than sleep and will sustain you throughout your day. You will feel refreshed, alert and raring to go.

This is what is meant by doing less and accomplishing more. Gradually increase the time you spend practicing this simple technique by 20 to 30 minutes a day. In quietly contacting your inner Self, you are experiencing your source, the place of infinite potential. When you come back into activity, you bring that potential with you and you will accomplish more than you ever dreamed possible, with less effort, less stress.

Harvard Professor Herbert Benson, M.D., is the founding President of the Mind/Body Medical Institute and the Mind/Body Medical Institute Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. He has taught The Relaxation Response and written many books about it, all of which you can find by visiting his website. You will be amazed at the profound physiological and psychological effects of this technique on aging, smoking and other addictions, obesity, anger, sports performance and living a successful healthy life, which is your birthright.