Mindful Breathing Meditation
Practicing mindfulness and other healthy habits can dramatically benefit our mental health. Not only that, but these healthy habits can improve our overall sleep hygiene, too. Today we’ll discuss what mindful breathing meditation is and how to start with it.
If you’re aiming to improve your sleep, you probably already know that lifestyle and diet can have huge impacts. Eating healthy, limiting stimulants like caffeine, reducing alcohol consumption, and stress relief can all help.
One habit you can easily practice is mindful meditation. It may surprise you how much it can improve your mental and physical health, including your sleep.
No matter your quality of sleep, everyone can benefit from this stress-reducing activity. The best part? You can practice these techniques anywhere. Whether you’re sitting at your desk or at home, all you have to do is focus on your breath.
However, it’s important to realize that mindfulness exercises, like meditation, rely on our ability to breathe to be done well.
What Is Mindfulness & How Is Breathing Involved?
Mindfulness is a meditative practice that encourages you to bring your attention to the present moment while shutting off everything else in your brain. There are many ways to practice mindfulness, but breathing plays a key part in the exercise.
When you first start a mindfulness session, it can be helpful to turn your full attention to your breathing. The focus on your breath creates an anchor for you to ease into the experience or reset if you find yourself getting distracted.
Not only can taking deep breaths and paying attention to how you breathe help strengthen your diaphragm, but when you breathe mindfully, you tune into where you are, how you’re feeling, and what might be causing you stress. This can help put into perspective the things causing you anxiety and help you find a solution. Sometimes, the breaks from the chaos help us realize what it is we really need.
Ready to put your allergy symptoms behind you? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Matorin to put yourself on the path to ridding yourself of allergy symptoms for good.
What Are The Benefits of Mindfulness?
Mindfulness may have more benefits than you realize. For starters, it can help relieve anxiety and stress and help you feel calmer and focused. Additionally, mindfulness fosters gratitude by bringing you out of the daily hustle and bustle. Don’t we all need a little more gratitude in our lives, anyway?
Between your work and personal life, you have a lot to think about. Allowing yourself to slow down helps you appreciate things how they are. You know the saying, “Stop and smell the flowers.” Well, mindfulness puts that saying into practice, with benefits to your overall health.
While it might seem difficult to believe that just sitting and breathing can positively impact your life, these benefits are backed by real scientific research!
Have you been having trouble breathing because of a stuffy nose or congestion due to seasonal allergies? It’s time to put an end to your breathing troubles by reaching out to Dr. Matorin.
How to Start Mindfulness Meditation With Breathing
When you first begin mindful activities, you may notice that your thoughts are constantly drifting or that you’re thinking about things you didn’t expect. It can be a real eye-opener to realize how much you have going on inside your head at any given moment.
So when the inevitable happens, and you lose focus on your breath, try to gently return your attention back to your breathing. During these moments, simply acknowledge what you’re feeling and thinking, then try to let it go. When things pop into your mind, refocus on your breath by concentrating on your inhaling and exhaling.
Breath deeply from your diaphragm, slowly but fully. Hold in your breath for four or more seconds, then slowly release for four or more seconds. Feel your chest and stomach rising. During this part, it can be helpful to play instrumental music or listen to a guided meditation. Aim for brief, five-minute sessions to begin with, then gradually increase the length of the exercise.
No Matter the Season or Weather, Dr. Matorin Can Help You Breathe Clearly Again
Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner of mindful meditation or trying to start a new habit, breathing well is key to getting the most out of this exercise — and your life.
As mentioned above, the benefits of mindfulness can improve your overall health, both mentally and physically.
So if you suffer from spring or fall allergies and find breathing difficult for you, Dr. Matorin can help you find long-term solutions that allow you to breathe clearly all year round.
Find out more about how we can eliminate your allergy symptoms today.
