How To Experience 3 Important Benefits of Breath Meditation

 

There are multiple benefits of practicing brief periods of breath meditation through your day. Potential benefits can include: 

• Reduced stress and anxiety;
• Improved focus and concentration; and,
  
• increased feelings of calm and relaxation.

Letting Go of Stress and Anxiety 

Taking stress and anxiety as an example, breath meditation can help reduce the stress response by calming the nervous system and promoting a state of relaxation. When you are stressed or anxious, the breath tends to become shallow and rapid. This rapid increase can exacerbate feelings of distress. 

By focusing on the breath and slowing down the breath, you can activate the body's relaxation response and reduce the physiological effects of stress, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure. This can help to quiet the mind and promote a sense of calm and relaxation. 

Additionally, as you engage in short periods of breath meditation, you're training the mind and brain to respond to stress in a more balanced and calm way. Like exercising a muscle, the more you practice breath meditation the stronger you're ability to stay calm in stressful situations grows.

Improved Focus and Concentration

Breath meditation can help improve focus and concentration by training your mind to become more present and attentive. When you focus attention on the breath, you typically reduce the constant stream of thoughts that can distract and clutter the mind. This can improve your ability to concentrate and focus on a single task or activity. This enhanced focus may also improve memory and learning. 

Additionally, the relaxed state of mind that is cultivated through breath meditation can also improve cognitive function and mental clarity. By regularly practicing breath meditation, you can develop the ability to maintain focus and concentration for longer periods of time.

Increasing Feelings of Calm and Relaxation

The physical sensations signaling a sense of calm and relaxation are palpable. Many people begin feeling these sensations after only 10 or 15 seconds of breath meditation. The calming sensations are felt because your mind and body are experiencing the powerful benefits of your breath meditation.

How to Practice a Simple Breath Meditation

Here are six steps to practice easy breath meditation:

• Find a comfortable seated position and close your eyes. Sit upright in a comfortable posture. One common description for a good meditation posture is to assume a dignified, but comfortable seated position. Both feet should be on the floor. You can also practice breath meditation while laying down or standing.

• Allow five or six comfortable breaths to help you relax and settle into the present moment.

• Focus your attention on the sensation of your breath as it moves in and out of your body. Notice the sensation of the air moving in through your nostrils and into your lungs, and then the feeling of your breath moving out of your body. Breathe in through your nasal passages for a count of about five seconds. When you exhale, imagine you're releasing your breath through a straw. Your exhalation will also be about five seconds.

• As you continue to breathe, try to keep your attention focused on the sensation of your breath. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breath.

• Continue to focus on your breath for as long as you like. Breath meditations can be a few seconds or several minutes. You may find it helpful to use a timer or you can simply allow your subconscious to guide you when it's time to end each session.

• When it's time to finish your meditation, allow five or six gentle, loving in and out breaths as you gently open your eyes and return to regular activity when you're ready to do so.

Remember, the key to breath meditation is to focus your attention on the sensation of your breath. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breath without judgment. 

Also, the suggested five seconds in and out breaths can be modified to shorter or longer periods. One common variation is to breathe in for four seconds and out for six seconds. For many people, this pattern can feel more calming than the five seconds in and out pattern due to how the longer exhalation period affects what's called the autonomic nervous system. Practice various patterns to find ones that work best for you.

Breath Meditation is Not a Substitute for Professional Care

Please remember, if you're experiencing psychological, emotional, or physical issues that require care by an appropriate licensed medical professional, please seek help accordingly. Breath meditation or any other type of meditation is not a substitute for professional care.

Putting in the Reps to Benefit From Breath Meditation

As with physical exercise, the more consistent your practice is over time, the more you'll benefit. With regular practice, breath meditation can help reduce stress and increase mindfulness, both of which can help you keep stress and anxiety low, improve your focus and concentration, and increase feelings of calm, wellbeing, and relaxation.

Picture Perfect Breathing for Fast Stress Relief

If you've experienced one or more traumatic events or you are prone to chronic stress, it’s important to engage in self-care activities including monitoring stress levels and taking steps to neutralize stress before it becomes overwhelming.

In this blogpost and companion podcast episode, you’ll discover a simple, effective breath technique you can use anytime to lower stress and create a sense of relaxation and calm.
Picture Perfect Breathing

Applying Picture Perfect Breathing (PPB) for 60 seconds or more allows mind and body to let go of tension and disempowering thoughts as your brain and body are refreshed and renewed.

With only one to two minutes of Picture Perfect Breathing, you'll be ready to engage in whatever activities are at hand feeling great. Engaging in PPB periodically throughout the day is a great way to maintain a sense of calm and control.

One important item: If you have asthma, COPD, or other breathing or lung problem, please talk with your doctor before doing Picture Perfect Breathing.
Here Are the Steps for Picture Perfect Breathing

• Begin with a yawn, sigh, and stretch. Really give it a good stretch, sigh, and yawn even if you don't feel like yawning.

• Choose a framed picture (preferably a picture of a calming scene), a doorway, or even your computer monitor or laptop screen. You'll be using the corners of your focus object and moving from corner to corner as you breathe.

• Allow your gaze to focus on the lower left corner of your focus object. Allow a gentle, unstrained focus. As you gaze at the lower left corner, inhale for the count of 5, which represents about 5 seconds.

• Gently hold your breath as you shift your gaze to the upper left corner of your focus object and count to 5.

• Shift your gaze to the upper right corner of your focus object and exhale gently through pursed lips for the count of 5.

• Shift your gaze to the lower right corner of your focus object as you relax into the empty breath sensation for the count of 5. If you feel an urge to breathe before reaching 5, go ahead and do so. With just a few times through the process, you will likely feel comfortable mindfully allowing the empty breath sensation to simply be for the count of 5.

Take one or more normal breaths. and then repeat the process for a total of 3 to 5 cycles. Each cycle will take about 20 seconds (5 seconds at each of the 4 corners), so 3 cycles will take about a minute.

Finish with another good yawn, sigh, and stretch and then return to your activities refreshed and rejuvenated.
Guided Picture Perfect Breathing Experience

PPB was the featured technique in the episode linked below of the, "Easy Stress Cures" podcast. Simply click the white triangle on the podcast player below, listen to the episode, and experience the positive mind and body benefits waiting for you.

For more "Easy Stress Cures" podcast episodes visit the, “Mind Over Stress Show” website at http://MindOverStress.us. 

To learn about Stress Solutions, LLC and how to apply Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to dissolve stress and create empowering beliefs and a happier, more successful life, visit, https://www.EFT-MD.com.

3 Step Secret for Mindful Walking

Say the word, “Meditation” and the image that comes to mind is likely a person seated in a Lotus posture with legs crossed, back erect, and fingertips touching in what’s called a Mudra pose. 

Say, “Walking Meditation”, and the image likely coming to mind is a person walking deliberately through the various sections of a labyrinth. A labyrinth is a complex set of pathways requiring someone’s full attention to navigate through the maze.

But the truth is you can practice Walking Mindful Meditation virtually anytime you choose whether you're walking long distances or simply walking a few feet across the room.

Why Walking Meditation is So Calming and Easy to Do

Anytime you enter into Mindful Awareness you're releasing stress. Why? Because when you're attending to the present moment, the mind isn’t creating stories about what can go wrong in the future or looking back at yesterday’s memories ruminating about some wrong done to you or done by you. 

The Present Moment is a place of peace. When you’re in this Present Moment, your brain hemispheres are in balance and your mind and body are functioning in an optimum way.

Here’s a question I often hear when recommending walking meditation to clients: 

“Steve, how can I be in Present Awareness while I’m walking? Doesn’t the act of walking affect my ability to stay relaxed?"

Here’s the 3 Step Secret

• Before beginning to walk, stop whatever you’re doing;
• Allow three comfortable, calming breaths; then,
• Bring attention to your body and observe yourself get up and walk;

In a few seconds you’ll be able to settle your attention into full awareness of your movement. Simply notice your movement step by step. Stay in mindful awareness as you walk. Just notice. Be present. That is enough.

Whether you’re walking across a room, around the block, or to some other destination a mile away, focus your awareness on the walking movement. If thoughts intrude, as soon as you notice those thoughts, say in mind or out loud, “That’s a thought” and then let the though dissolve as you return attention to your walking.

When you arrive at your destination, you may choose to smile and allow three more comfortable, calming breaths. It’s now time to engage in whatever activities you need to perform. But you’re now going to engage in those activities with a fresh, relaxed mind and body.

Try Mindful Walking for Yourself

I suggest having a go at Mindful Walking to experience it’s benefits. You’ll likely feel calmer and more centered after your experience whether the walk takes only 30 seconds or 30 minutes. The calming benefits of Mindful Walking can last for hours.

I would love to hear about your experience of Mindful Walking! Email me at CarterMethod@gmail.com to share your results.

You Can Hear This Guidance in a, "Mind Over Stress" Podcast Episode

The guidance in this blogpost was included in episode 21 of the, "Mind Over Stress" podcast. To listen, click the podcast player link below.

To hear other stress dissolving episodes, visit the podcast website at www.MindOverStress.us.

To listen to other, “Mind Over Stress” and, “Less Stress More Joy” podcast episodes, visit us at, www.MindOverStress.us. To learn about Stress Solutions, LLC company services, visit our www.EFT-MD.com website.

Blessings in abundance,

Stephen Carter

CEO Stress Solutions, LLC | www.EFT-MD.com | Podcast: www.MindOverStress.us

How to Apply Loving Touch for Self-Care

Listen to this podcast episode by clicking the player below. If you don't see a player, click this direct link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/16170008.

 

Two female cupped hands

Loving Touch Technique for Self-Care

In this episode of, "Less Stress More Joy!", you'll experience an easy to use method to calm and renew called, Loving Touch. 

Loving Touch uses fingertips to stroke sensitive areas of your hands with soothing, gentle movements. You can also apply Loving Touch to your face, arms, legs as time permits to experience even deeper states of relaxation, peace, and calm. 

Loving Touch is a sensual, gentle way to release stress and feel great. It's a marvelous way to create what's called the Relaxation Response, which is an optimum state of mind and body for emotional and physical well-being.

The Loving Touch technique can also be applied to others with permission. They will enjoy a relaxing, sensual sense of calm and stress release.

Yawn, Sigh, Stretch for Cognitive Clarity

In addition to Loving Touch self-care, by listening to this episode in the player above, you learn how to apply the, "Yawn, Sigh, and Stretch" method to relax mind and body. This technique helps clear brain fatigue and revitalizes the prefrontal cortex of the brain after long periods of mental activities. 

After applying the, Yawn, Sigh, Stretch action, you'll experience a sharper sense of presence and cognitive clarity.

More Great Calming Resources

For more stress dissolving audios and videos, visit http://MindOverStress.us. 

Stephen Carter

Stress Solutions, LLC | www.EFT-MD.com | Podcast Site: http://MindOverStress.us 

P.S. If you would like to learn Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), visit our site www.EFT-MD.com.

How Mother Nature Can Change Your Mind

Listen to the podcast by clicking the audio player above. If you don't see the audio player, click HERE to listen.

Recent research confirms what we all know to be true. Time spent outside in Mother Nature renews the mind, body, and spirit. Time in Mother Nature literally changes the mind. It provides a direct link to our physical roots and reconnects us with the primal source of life.

Moment to Moment Experience in Mother Nature

In this episode recorded in a lovely grove of trees, I share my moment to moment experience as Mother Nature works her magic. I literally feel the positive changes take hold and share how those changes bring enhanced energy, wellbeing, and a sense of calm.

Your Invitation to Enhance Mood and Well-being

I invite you to take just a few minutes each day to leave your residence, your office, and other indoor spaces to spend time in a park or even a tree lined neighborhood connecting to the magic energies only available when we're outside. The air we breath outside is far more energized and fresh than the air available inside offices, homes, and even cars.

Why would I invite you to experience even just a few minutes of Mother Nature? Because it changes your mind and enhances mood and wellbeing. 

How You Can Make the World a Better Place

When you are energized, relaxed, and calm, you influence those you connect with. They are influenced by your positive energy. When that happens, you are literally making this world a better place. 

Stephen Carter | CEO Stress Solutions, LLC | www.EFT-MD.com | Podcasts: https://www.MindOverStress.us

Good Stress, Bad Stress, and No Stress With Mindful Breathing

Important Note: To listen to the "Mind Over Stress" podcast episode related to this blog post, click the audio player at the bottom of this post. Because some phones and tablets may not show the player, you can also listen on our "Mind Over Stress" website home page at http://MindOverStress.us.

Is There Such a Thing as "Good Stress"?

It's important to make a distinction between a stress experience that can be positive and another that can be problematic - and how to deal with the latter.

The Eustress Experience

A visit to http://Dictionary.com tells us that a type of stress called "Eustress" is defined as, "stress that is deemed healthful or giving one the feeling of fulfillment". 

Examples include situations such as learning a new skill, preparing for your wedding, or those "butterflies" that come just before you're about to make a presentation. Eustress is episodic rather than chronic; it is typically associated with a positive change or experience.

The Distress Experience

Dictionary.com tells us that "Distress" the "other" stress experience - includes, "great pain, anxiety, or sorrow; acute physical or mental suffering; affliction; trouble". 

While there are an array of differences between eustress and distress, two of the most important are the duration and the meaning we give to the stress sensations. Typically, eustress situations are short lived (example: going on that "first date") and have an element of fun or positive excitement.

Distressful situations typically drag on for what seems like forever. Examples include working for a nasty boss, a lack of money to pay the bills every month, or being the caregiver for a seriously ill family member. There is no sense of fun, adventure, or positive excitement when we experience distress.

How Much Stress is Too Much?

One good way to determine when we are in a chronically distressed state is to monitor thoughts, emotions, and energy. Chronic distress wears on our sense of well-being and robs us of vitality. Our thoughts, mood, and general disposition turn negative. 

If your mood and sense of physical and emotional well-being turn south and you recognize your relationships are suffering, it's time to take action to manage and ultimately master the chronic distress experience called the Stress Repose.

How Do I Begin to Master Stress?

There are countless ways to mitigate and ultimately master the Stress Response. One of the easiest ways is to build short, mindful breathing breaks into your daily routine. This does not require you to sit on a cushion, OM, or spend hours in meditation. For most people, extended daily meditation isn't an option.

3-Step Mindful Breathing Practice

As a start toward your Stress Mastery way of living, I suggest doing the following simple Mindful Breathing practice.

• Set a timer or email reminders to alert you at least once an hour (once every 30-minutes is better) that it's time to take a break.

• Close your eyes for 60 - 90 seconds and simply breathe. As you breathe say in mind or out loud, "In" as you breathe in and then say "Out" as you exhale. The idea is to give your attention to the breath as you breathe in and out.

• If your attention drifts toward thoughts or physical sensations other than your breath, as soon as you notice the change, simply return your attention to your breathing.

After completing your 60 to 90-seconds of Mindful Breathing, open your eyes, stretch, yawn and return to your activities renewed and refreshed.

When you complete your first Mindful Breathing practice, congratulate yourself! You've taken an important step towards a practice of Mindfulness Meditation and a calmer, healthier you.

Improved Well-being With Each Day of Mindful Breathing Practice

You'll begin to notice positive brain | mind | body benefits of Mindful Breathing practice within a couple of days. Those emotional and psychical benefits will grow with each day of practice. Aim for at least 10 to 15-minutes of Mindful Breathing in total each day, accumulated one to two minutes at a time. 

If you would like to practice Mindful Breathing for more time each day, so much the better. 

Podcast Episode for This Post

Listen to the "Mind Over Stress" podcast episode that leads you through the easy 3-step Mindful Breathing method by clicking the player below. 

If you don't see the player, go directly to the Mind Over Stress podcast website at http://MindOverStress.us. 

This episode is available on the site's homepage. 

Blessings, light, and peace,

Steve Carter

Stress Solutions, LLC | www.EFT-MD.com | Mind Over Stress Podcast: http://MindOverStress.us 

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Sleep Matters - The 1-Minute Method to Help You Fall Asleep Easily

We may understand the idea that people should get a good night's sleep academically, but for many of us that realization doesn't translate to changes in our own behavior.

Typically, we continue "muddling through", working late into the night and even on weekends. Too wound up to relax properly in the evening, we may try to medicate the day's stress by watching late-night TV, having a few drinks, or spending hours surfing Facebook to learn what our "BFF" had for dinner.

Some recent studies may help remind us that choosing to get our optimum number hours of sleep nightly can make a positive difference in our professional and personal lives.

Recent Studies:

In a recently released University of California, Berkeley study, researchers found sleep deprivation negatively affects our ability to accurately read facial expressions. This reduced ability could potentially reduce our awareness of non-verbal cues from family members suggesting they are experiencing pain, illness, or emotional upset.

Likewise, failure to perceive subtle facial clues from our boss or co-workers means we're missing important information in the workplace. Even our physical safety could be affected if we fail to notice subtle facial and physical behaviors by potential criminals as we move about in public.

In an earlier UC Berkely study, researchers found a lack of sleep can play a key role in activating regions of the brain that contribute to excessive worry. This was found to be the case in healthy adults as well as people who regularly experience anxiety.

In yet another UC Berkely study, researchers discovered that during dream phases of sleep - also known as REM or rapid eye movement periods - stress chemistry changes and the brain can process emotional memories in ways that reduce the psychological impact.

Dr. Matthew Walker, associate professor or psychology and neuroscience at UC Berkley, and the senior author of this study, commented,

"The dream stage of sleep, based on its unique neurochemical composition, provides us with a form of overnight therapy, a soothing balm that removes the sharp edge from the prior day's emotional experiences".

Poor Sleep Patterns and Our Genes:

In addition to affecting our emotional and cognitive wellbeing, research suggests poor sleep patterns can have a negative effect on gene expression. Swedish researchers at Uppsala University and the Karolinska Institute discovered that genes controlling our biological clocks in cells throughout the body may be affected with the loss of even one night of sleep.

Jonathan Cedemaes, a researcher at Uppsala University and the study's lead author, comments,

"Previous research has shown that our metabolism is negatively affected by sleep loss, and sleep loss has been linked to an increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Since ablation of clock genes in animals can cause these disease states, our current results indicate that changes of our clock genes may be linked to such negative effects caused by sleep loss."

How to Fall Asleep Easily:

So if sleep is so important, how can we get more of it?

1) Make relaxation and sleep a priority. If sleep and energetic renewal aren't important priorities, you will find excuses to stay up "just another few minutes" to watch television, surf the web, read Facebook and other social media, or otherwise give attention to activities that keep you up and awake.

2) Close down the computer at an hour before bed. Staring at a monitor and engaging in emotionally charged brain stimulating activities don't support sleep.

3) Shut off the television at least an hour before bedtime. As with computer activities, much of television content stimulates brain activity in ways that keep us wired. This is particularly true with the "if it bleeds, it leads" stories on the evening news.

4) Stop consuming stimulants such as sodas, coffee, or tea several hours before bedtime. Sensitivity to stimulants can vary. Some people may experience the effects of caffeine many hours after caffeine and other stimulants are consumed. Know your tolerance and act accordingly.

5) Use the "4-7-8" method to help you fall asleep. Follow Dr. Andew Weil in the short video as he leads us through the simple method.

Of course, if you believe there may be a medical condition affecting your ability to fall and stay asleep, consult your doctor.

Blessings

Steve Carter

Stephen Carter Stress Solutions, LLC p:804-677-6772 | e:CarterMethod@gmail.com | w:http://www.EFT-MD.com

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail!

Important Note: This and all other postings to this blog are for informational purposes only. This and all other posts are not intended to diagnose, treat, or otherwise recommend any treatment for any medical or psychological condition. Anyone using any of the information contained in this or any other posting on this website does so at his or her own risk. You are urged to seek competent medical consultations with appropriate licensed medical professionals for any and all medical, psychological, or physical conditions.

For more information about the articles mentioned above, click the article links below.

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Sleep Loss Recent Studies:

The sleep-deprived brain can mistake friends for foes: http://tinyurl.com/p7ju3sh

Tired and edgy? Sleep deprivation boosts anticipatory anxiety: http://tinyurl.com/pploze2

One night of sleep loss can alter clock genes in your tissues: http://tinyurl.com/q6jmmbn

Dreaming takes the sting out of painful memories: study: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-11-painful-memories.html#nRlv

Resources & Guides:

National Sleep Foundation Guide to Sleep
http://sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/how-much-sleep-do-we-really-need

Center for Disease Control Guidelines on Sleep
http://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/how_much_sleep.htm

How Much Sleep Do You Need? Health? HelpGuide.org
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/how-much-sleep-do-you-need.htm

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