How important is meditation? is it effective in relieving stress?

Can be important: There are many ways in which to relieve stress. Meditation is an important and effective way to do this. A simple meditation technique: find a quiet, comfortable place where you can be undisturbed. Close your eyes and take slow deep breaths inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth, "hyper-focusing" on listening to your breaths. Do this for 5-20 minutes daily.

Can help a lot: A simple breathing meditation about 10 minutes daily can help to reduce stress. It helps you to develop skill in dropping distressing thoughts and research shows that it increases blood and oxygen in areas of the brain where you regulate attention and emotion. It's also helpful toward reducing reliance on alcohol, drugs, overeating, etc. As ways of reducing stress.

Very effective: Studies have shown that meditation can have positive effects on your autonomic nervous system, your immune system and your hormonal systems, thus rebalancing your overall metabolism. Proper abdominal breathing techniques are paramount in achieving the relaxation response. You do not need to be a master. Find someone who can teach you this and then practice it consistently.

Meditation not magic: There's nothing magical or mysterious about meditation. All the Indian mystical mumbo-jumbo you hear about it is nonsense. Meditation is simply a technique for focusing attention and self-calming. The only really important thing about meditation is the ACT of SITTING QUIETLY. The other really important thing is regular practice. Benefits accrue from getting good at it.