A mind-body practice in which a person focuses his or her attention on something, such as an object, word, phrase, or breathing, in order to minimize distracting or stressful thoughts or feelings. Meditation may help relax the body and mind and improve overall health and well-being. It may be used to help relieve stress, pain, anxiety, and depression and to help with symptoms related to disease, such as cancer and AIDS. It is a type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).