“One way to break up any kind of tension is good deep breathing.”
Engaging your brainand thanking can bring success. Thanking your breathand being mindful of its powers can be just as important. The respiratory system, like the nervous system, is constantlyat work, whether you are aware of it or not. They work together in fact, to make life and mind possible. The breath, which brings in life-givingoxygen and expels carbon dioxide, is often equated with life itself.
As David Disalvo discusses in Forbes online(Breathing and Your Brain: Five Reasons to Grab the Controls),you generally can do better physical and mental work when you have plenty of oxygen. Controlled breathing involves inhaling deeply through the nose for about five seconds, holding it, then taking longer to exhale it through the mouth.
Breathing techniques are alsoimportantin the practice of meditation, a term that has many definitions in science, psychology, spirituality, and health practice. The Merriam Webster dictionary offers the definitionto engage in mental exercise (as concentration on one’s breathing or repetition of a mantra) for purposes of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness. Mindfulness meditation, a variation of the practice, emphasizes the value of experiencing the present moment more fully while meditating.
Just as there are many definitions of meditation, there is a whole range of options for using the technique. There are elaborate, formal rituals practiced by Buddhist monks and taught at daylong, week long, even month-long retreats. At a simpler level, meditation can meantaking five minutes out of your day to “be very still, close your eyes and breathe."
The goal almost always is to bring the mind and body together in a state of calmness and relaxation. Most techniques involve a quiet location, a comfortable posture (e.g.,standing sitting, lying down, even walking), a focus of attention sometimes using specific words or mantras, and a mindful readiness to free yourself from distractions.
Whether you want to explore meditation techniques or simply get into the habit of thanking your breath, at a minimum, allow time to simply concentrate on your breathing.Do it the same time every day, 9 AM for example. The routine can bevery simple. For example, begin with two or three very deep cleansing breaths, thenbeginto breathe normally. Be still and listen to your breath pass through your mouth and nose. Feel the movement of your lungs as you inhale and exhale. Let the time help you think clearly, feel calm, and be thankful.
Have you been wanting to learn how to meditate but don't know where to start? Let this comprehensive guide for beginners show you the way.
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