What is the connection between the breath and mindfulness?
When you are angry and beating your fists at the guy on television, you are hardly thinking about your breathing, right?
Breathing is an activity which we can do without being aware of it. But the breath is an indicator of your emotional state. When you are angry, your breathing becomes faster.
Imagine you are writing an important exam and the examiner or the supervisor calls you out. You may be so afraid that you won’t notice your breath, even if it is so hard. But if you notice your breath even for a second it can help you gain composure. And bring you back into the present moment and give you a sense of control over your fear.
When you practice mindfulness, you observe your breath. With practice, coming back to the breath becomes a habit. It becomes an easily available tool to notice your feelings, activities and thoughts. In this way, it makes you mindful and stay in the present more often that you usually do.
Observe one or two breaths at certain fixed times of the day. Observe it when you wake up in the morning and before going to bed. Also notice it before sitting to eat, when you go for a walk and before you begin any activity.
Even if this is the only thing you can do – do it. It is the best exercise to become more mindful.
Click on the audio link below to practise the guided meditation exercise.
Click here to join the twice-a-week mindfulness meditation program through WhatsApp
Bell The Mind 