There are many benefits to breathing. One of the benefits to 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. In order to understand how to practice breathing all day the following will be discussed:
The process of breathing all day.
Situations when to practice breathing and when not to.
16 second breaths.
The process of breathing all day.
To practice breathing all day start by inhaling and exhaling air through your nose gently and rhythmically as you are in activity. This process helps you pay attention to your breath. Do not get frustrated by thoughts distracting you. It is part of the process. Keep breathing gently and rhythmically without trying to bring your attention back to your breath. If you get too distracted from an activity that demands more attention temporary postpone your breathing.
Situations when to practice 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. 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. 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 second, 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 solves 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 your calmer and more relaxed throughout the day. When you are calm and relaxed you automatically breathe more properly.
Now that the following as been discussed: the process of breathing all day, situations when to practice breathing and when not to, and 16 second breaths you understand better how to practice breathing all day. Become aware of inhaling and exhaling air through your nose by breathing rhythmically and gently while in activity. If you get distracted continue to breath gently and rhythmically. This causes you to come back to your breath. You should not practice conscious breathing when doing activities like giving a speech, driving a car or any situation that demand your full attention. You can practice this type of action while you are drinking, eating, walking, watching television, waiting for someone, being a passenger in a car, and so on. 16 second breaths are a great way to stop panic attacks. It also stops fear of a panic attack because you know what to do when it happens. You breathe in for four seconds, hold for four seconds, breathe out for four seconds, hold for four seconds, and repeat the process. Next time you are going about your day see how you can apply what has been discussed to your breathing.