The Power of Proper Breathing, the 1st Step, and a Huge Morale Booster

1. The Power of Proper Breathing

“Proper breathing can help you cope with stress, sleep better, be less angry or moody, and refresh your energy. It can slow your heart rate and reduce your blood pressure. This isn’t speculation: There is excellent medical and psychological research on how breathwork not only influences our immune response and eases chronic pain but can also help maintain and restore health in general, both physical and mental.”

– Dr. Dana Sinclair, Dialed In

Just another awesome quote from Dr. Sinclair on the power of breathing 👏

2. The First Step for Letting Go of Thinking

Joseph Nguyen describes “thinking” as the judgments we have about our thoughts. He tells us that thoughts are neutral; it’s our thinking—our opinions of those thoughts—that creates suffering

To alleviate it, here is his first step for letting go of thinking:

“The first step is to pause and begin taking deep breaths to help calm our nervous systems. Deep breaths pull our focus away from the thinking mind and into our bodies, anchoring us in the present moment. This allows us to become aware of our emotions and also detach from them.”

- Don’t Believe Everything You Think

3. Make Your Practice Enjoyable

“Too often, people approach meditation as though they were taking medicine—it tastes bad, but they grin and bear it because it’s supposed to be good for them. Instead, make meditation into a pleasurable activity. If you’re at ease and happy, you will be more successful than if you’re tense and straining.”

- The Mind Illuminated

I’ve shared this one before, but it’s an always-welcome reminder to make our practice enjoyable. Let’s not grin and bear it; let’s find ways to make it fun and pleasurable 👏

4. Two Random Thoughts: Lightheartedness and Universal Healing

1. There is a reason laughter is called lightheartedness and not lightheadedness.

2. The most healing and universally used breathing exercise is laughter.

"Humor, on the other hand, picks everyone up. It is a huge morale booster. Laughing at yourself and the absurdity of life and your own goofy choices gets the endorphins flowing and the adrenaline pumping."

— — David Goggins

Still the Mind: An Introduction to Meditation by Alan Watts

This book offers a nice mix of philosophy and practical wisdom on meditation and breathing. I highly recommend the audio version, as it allows you to hear Watts speak, which brings life and humor to the words.

P.S. Oh, and I discovered my life motto in it 😊: “I may be sincere, but never serious, because I don’t think the universe is serious.”

In good breath,

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

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.