Daily Positive Thought- Pay Attention to Just Five Breaths

It is amazing the power you have by simply breathing. It is one of the systems in the body which is both involuntary and voluntary at the same time. This makes the act of breathing something we do all the time without thinking but can use in a conscious way in order to find our thoughts, change our emotional state or step into the present moment.  It is a simple process of learning to breathe deeply when you feel emotions rise, feel overwhelmed or out of sorts.  Find a space where you can close your eyes for a minute and breathe a little deeper than normal and then let it out, letting it last as long as it took to inhale.  Continually put your focus on that for a few minutes and you will feel calmer and the emotions will start to dissipate.  In a pinch, I look for a spot to find time for five easy breaths.  It isn’t always enough but it never hurts.

Easing your Stress

I am not one of the more stressed out people in the world but I do have my moments.  As most men my age I was always taught by society and by example to keep it all inside and never let anyone know that you are upset. The problem with this lack of expression is that you are a human being and you are going to have feelings. If you don’t express them in a healthy way then they will come out somehow. Usually not in a very positive way.

When you spend your thoughts on anger and frustration then the energy you have to give to your relationships, job, or others in your life is going to be negative as well. Take a moment and breath in a little deeper than normal and then release it. Focusing on your breathing the whole time.  This simple action will allow you to step into the present moment and leave the thoughts of anger and fear in their own places. Learning to deal with your emotional responses can be one of the most important skills a person can add to their life. Emotions are going to arise, and taking a moment and calming your self before you react to them may just allow you to not act in haste or irrationally.

Give it a Try

If you do nothing else today, take a moment and take your five easy breaths. Watching the inhale and the exhale paying attention to each moment of the process. Then after you are done evaluating the response you have. I have found myself see things I didn’t notice before that are right in front of me, a clarity of thought and a calmness of emotions all from the use of five simple breaths.  My positive thought for today is for you to try this and see what it does for you.