A 10-15-75 Formula, Laughter, and a Menu of Mind-Body Benefits

1. A 10-15-75 Formula for Thinking

“There is a formula for this: 10 percent of thinking can be concerned with the past, 15 percent with the future, and the remaining 75 percent with the present. When we live mostly in the present, we can move easily, step by step. We can respond to events with an open heart and an open mind.”

– Satish Kumar, Elegant Simplicity

I love this idea. Instead of saying we should “always be in the present,” it reminds us that we will, of course, spend time thinking about the past and future—that’s part of being human. So, our aim is just to do our best to live “mostly in the present” so we can “respond to events with an open heart and an open mind.” 👏

2. A Menu of Mind-Body Benefits

“The real power of breathing comes from the way that we can also control the rate and depth…and choose from a menu of body–mind benefits. … We can use it to calm down, focus and think about what to do next. With a little practice we can also use breath control techniques to escape from reality for a while, taking a well-earned break from both body and mind. … All are easy to do and can make a significant difference to how you think and feel—for solid physiological reasons.”

- Caroline Williams, Move

👏 👏 👏

3. Three Random Breathing Thoughts

1. Mindfulness is thought meteorology; breath control is weather modification.

2. Sometimes the most mindful thing you can do is let your mind wander.

3. Your current state of mind is the average of your last five breaths.

4. The Breathing Baywatch?

“I think laughter is the best medicine. If you can’t laugh at yourself, then you can’t laugh at life and the silliness of it all.”

– David Hasselhoff

Did I just quote Hasselhoff in a newsletter about breathing and mindfulness? Yes, yes I did 😂 But this is a great quote and a great reminder to laugh this week—it’s the best breathing exercise around.

"Awakening is an accident, but continued practice will make you accident-prone."

— — John Yates, PhD & Matthew Immergut, PhD

Category: Speed of the Nervous System

Answer: The fastest signals in the body, clocking in at 268 mph, travel along an alpha motor neuron in this long, tube-like structure.

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(Cue the Jeopardy! music.)

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Question: What is the spinal cord?

In good breath,

Nick Heath, T1D, PhD
“Breathing is the compound interest of health & wellness.”

P.S. Big things coming

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