Sorry for the delay in my reply.

I wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s ONLY meditation that helps. Obviously it’s important to take care of yourself in various ways:

- make sure you get your vitamins and minerals. Omega-3 is important.
- get fibers into your system. Carrots are good. If you have access to some proper Rye Bread, that’s very good way to get your bowels working.
- Try some Oatmeal in the morning.
- get regular exercise in various ways. An hour twice a week or something like that is fine. Swim, play soccer, go rolleskating, skiing, play badminton, for a walk, prefer stairs over elevators and bicycles over cars where possible.
- watch a good movie, spend time with your friends and family, remember to have hopes and dreams, carry out the things you enjoy in life every now and then.. those things are important.

I am absolutely, most definitely not denying the importance of the above things and more. What I’m saying is that meditation *enhances* them.

The way I can tell meditation is doing that for me, is that I’m able to tell the difference.

For example, I’ve had a stressful day and meditate in the evening, applying different meditation techniques to relieve my brain from the intellectual hyperdrive caused by the day’s hassle. I am able to go to sleep without rolling in my bed for a few hours.

If I compare that with going to bed WITHOUT meditating in the evening, there is a clear difference. All kinds of planning and organizing in my head just won’t quiet down in the same way. I’ve tried it of course: playing nintendo Wii until my eyes are bloodshot red, just to get my mind off the hectic day. Not that much success. And honestly, rye bread doesn’t get me to sleep either.

People take brandy, or green tea, or read a book, or sleeping pills to get to sleep after a long day. For me, meditation’s a better way. It doesn’t cost anything, and is highly addictive