There are many benefits to breathing. One of the benefits to conscious breathing is that it can be used to help us to be calmer and more relaxed under stressful situations. We can maintain a meditative state not just during a meditation session, but other times of the day. You are not going to practice conscious breath all day, every day, for the rest of your life. It is unrealistic, but it can be used as one of many tools to support your meditation journey. To understand how to practice conscious breathing all day the following will be discussed:
The process of conscious breathing all day.
Situations when to practice conscious breathing and when not to.
16 second breaths.
The process of conscious breathing all day.
Start by paying attention to the inhaling and exhaling of air through your nose gently as you are doing an activity. Do not get frustrated by thoughts distracting you. It is part of the process. When you get distracted gently bring your attention back to your breath. In some situations, an activity demands your full attention, but when things clear up you can continue your conscious breathing. You can also repeat a phrase in your mind or count to ten in certain situations when you find it easier.
Situations when to practice conscious breathing and when not to.
There are situations where you need to be unconscious of your breath because you need your conscious mind to think for long periods of time. When something demands your full attention, take a break. Continue when things clear up. You might not want to perform this action if you are giving a speech, driving a car, or any situation where you need to pay full attention. Your conscious mind cannot focus on two things at once. You can repeat a special phrase that will help you focus while relieving boredom and stress. It can help in rush hour traffic, and public bathrooms. The practice of continual breath awareness is perfect for drinking, eating, walking, watching television, waiting for someone, being a passenger in a car, and so on.
16 second breaths
You can practice 16 second breaths anytime you are in a stressful situation that is causing you to panic and want to relax. Breathe in for four seconds, hold for four seconds, breathe out for four seconds, hold for four seconds, and repeat the process as you need. 16 second breaths not only solve panic attacks but also the fear of one because you know what to do in the situation. It should not be used as a replacement for your breath awareness meditation practice, but to complement it. The breath meditation makes you calmer and more relaxed throughout the day. When you are calm and relaxed you automatically breathe more properly. You can also try counting backwards from ten or repeat a phrase in your head that will help you focus on solving the problem while staying calm and relaxed.
Now that the following has been discussed: the process of conscious breathing all day, situations when to practice conscious breathing and when not to, and 16 second breaths you understand how to do these things better. Become aware of inhaling and exhaling air through your nose while in activity. If you get distracted, bring your attention back to your breath. Do not do this practice when something demands your full attention. When things clear up again then you can continue.