JUST BREATHE REVISITED

Previously I blogged about the stress relieving benefit of slow, even breathing.  Since then it continues to come up directly or indirectly with different approaches to stress management.  It is frequently referred to as "mindfulness."  This has been defined as consciousness without thought.  I wonder if it may be better defined as a calm, alert state with active efforts to clear one's mind from worries, future events, past events, etc., so that we are open to what life might bring us.  Being aware of our breathing as we focus on it becoming slow and even, is one way to achieve this state of "mindfulness" that is available to anyone who commits to practicing this type of breathing on a daily basis.  Intrerestingly, it seems to be an important part of the brain training treatments for ADHD and PTSD as well as a way to improve working memory and reading levels in people.  The latter reference is to studies involving mindfulness training undertaken by Michael Mrazek and his colleagues at UC-Santa Barbara who are introducing mindfulness practices into elementary schools. 

The benefits of meditation, mindfulness and breathing practices have been well established.  It seems like a number of treatments represent attempts to achieve a meditative/mindful state more quickly by reinforcing certain brain wave patterns that are associated with being calm and alert and focused. These same brain wave patterns can be achieved through breathing exercises and other meditative practices. I am eager to learn the results of Dr. Mrazek and colleagues attempts to implement mindfulness practices in elementary level school systems.  This could have a significant positive impact on the lives of these children and possibly spread to their family members.  

As I ended the other blog about breathing, I will end this one the same way.  JUST BREATHE.

JUST BREATHE

Breathing is essential for life and seems fairly automatic. However, when we are stressed we often will hold our breath [briefly] and then have shallow and more rapid breaths. Our brains are preparing us for action to avoid some danger.  Often, there is no real danger, just our anxious or feaful reaction to something that might remind us of a past dangerous situation.  Our breathing change indicates that we have shifted into crisis mode and the stress that goes along with this.  If we can keep our breathing calm and even, we will be calm.  Many different spiritual practices promote relaxed, deep breathing as part of their meditation practices.

Learning to breathe more slowly can help us to calm down. Of course, when we are stressed and worried, it can be very difficult to calm our breathing.  Focusing on making our hands and feet feel warmer can help us to feel calmer.  This requires that we focus on our hands and feet, seeking a sensation of warmth in them.  If we do this, our breathing will automatically be calm, without having to focus on our breathing.  Then, during times when we are not feeling stressed, we can practice taking slow deep breaths while being aware of the air moving through your nostrils and into your lungs and out again. Focusing on our breathing and just being aware of it can help us to feel calm and not worried. Exhaling more slowly than you are inhaling can add to your sense of being calm and relaxed.

If we just breathe, we'll like it.