Sometimes I catch myself during the day and realize I am barely breathing.  No, no, I’m not having an asthma attack or anything, but I am not fully breathing.  I started paying attention to my breath throughout the day and realized that I have a very shallow breath sometimes (ok, a lot of times).  I imagine this is pretty common.  It’s not necessarily a problem, but it’s something that can improve.  I noticed, even if I wasn’t feeling stressed, if I stopped to take a few deep breaths I felt better – less stressed, calmer and more aware of my surroundings.  Paying attention and being present is an important aspect of living a more zen life.

A few deep breaths can do the trick to bring you back to the present and relieve stress.  Even if you just take 30 seconds (because, let’s be real – that’s all we have sometimes), take a few long, deep breaths where ever you are – waiting to pick up your kids, in line at the grocery store, filling your car up with gas.  It will make a difference.

1 Minute Meditation

If you have some more time or want to try a different breathing technique, try alternate nostril breathing.  My yoga teacher adds this to the beginning of our practice sometimes, and I have found it a great way to help quiet my mind (which I have a really hard time doing – it’s always racing!).

Whether you call it a breathing break or a 1 Minute Mediation (as Tara Stiles from Strala Yoga does), take a moment to just breathe…