An Eight-Part Series on some of the factors that can significantly impact the quality of your years.
PART II: MEDITATION AND BREATHING
This won’t be the first time you will read that breathing and/or meditation exercises can greatly improve your quality of life. There has to be a reason why you hear about this again and again!
Whether you just take a few minutes per day to simply be alone with your thoughts, or you research and begin to practice some form of basic-level meditation on a consistent basis, giving yourself this time is a gift no one else can give you.
There are certainly not enough hours in a day if you’re an active individual and your brain is constantly working for you, consciously and unconsciously. Making decisions, processing information, storing memories, interpreting visual stimuli are all things that happen constantly and simultaneously. I remember once hearing that the human brain can process something like 1,000 thoughts per second! Incredible as it may seem, and even if I’m not exactly right, I do know that the brain’s processing power is often compared to that of a computer’s brain, the CPU or central processing unit. Even in our sleep our brains are very active, processing thoughts at incredible speeds. Did you ever sleep a solid 8, 9 hours, or more, and still woke up feeling as tired as you did when you went to bed? Well, that’s your brain working over-time.
I say meditation is a gift you give to yourself, because no one else is ever going to say, “Hey, stop everything you’re doing right now, and just take a little time for you. Settle down, process your thoughts, relax, you deserve it”!
That is something only you can do for you, and it’s easier than you think!!
Those with cramped texting fingers, and Blackberry junkies, pay attention! You will not be able to do this if you must always be near your device. Again, this is a gift of time you are giving yourself, and why should anything or anyone interfere with that?? Just turn it off, put down slowly, and walk away.
Meditation does not need to be complicated. Try this simple practice method.
- Sit or lie down in a quiet environment.
- Pay attention to your breathing. Try to even out the length of your inhales and exhales. You can use a counting method to assist you. For example, inhale to a count of 3 or 5, hold for a 1 count, and then exhale the same count of 3 or 5, and repeat.
- Let thoughts pass in and out of your mind. Acknowledge them and then let your mind wander, trying not to focus on any one thought for an extended period of time. This is what you do instead of trying to “clear your mind” which is almost impossible.
- If you have something you’d like to contemplate, then do so, and as other thoughts start to intrude, just let them go.
- Be aware of where you are at the present moment, this is not nap time.
- Practice for just 10 or 15 minutes daily.
You may surprise yourself once you have taken the time to allow your brain to rest a bit. Your energy level may increase, and hopefully you will experience better focus, feel less stressed and may even rest easier at night. Experience a peaceful state of mind for a few minutes a day and live in the moment a bit, instead of feeling that there’s always something you have to do. Give this gift to yourself, and enjoy!
