How to Feel Happier by Simply Using the Breath.
“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” ― Amit Ray
Have you ever noticed that sometimes you wake up in a bad mood?
Perhaps during the day your mood suddenly changes?
What do you do?
Have you found a technique that works for you to make you feel happier?
Sometimes to cultivate happiness we can look for external ways to feel happier. A treat from the local café, booking a weekend away or buying ourselves something new. These are all ways that can temporally help us to feel happier.
There is an alternative that can help us to feel happier, something that can help to bring a bad mood back to feeling more positive, happy and relaxed. This is simply being more aware of your breath…breath awareness.
Cultivating breath awareness.
When we tune into the breath, we can use it to help still our mind and calm our emotions.
For centuries yogis have been using this technique to help live a life in balance and complete happiness. We too can overcome sadness, stress and anxiety and access a state of inner calm and grounded balance.
Our breathing patterns are linked to our emotions.
Have you ever noticed that when you feel sad, grumpy or in a bad mood, your breath may feel short and shallow or perhaps fast and uneasy?
When you feel peaceful, relaxed and calm, or when you are in deep in concentration your breath will probably be slower, longer, even, and deeper.
So, if you begin to focus on your breathing and allow it to become slower and deeper you will begin to feel calmer and more relaxed. You will feel more focussed, present and grounded.
This breathing technique is also called Meditation and Yoga.
This ancient yogic practice is such a simple technique that can be practiced anywhere, without any cost or fancy equipment.
Your breath is available to you whenever you need it. You just need a daily practice; from a dedicated meditation practice a positive habit is created and you will find yourself becoming happier and more at peace. You will feel that you are better equipped to deal with life’s ups and downs and you will have the ability to find moments of calm whenever you need it.
How to practice a simple breathing technique
As you breathe in become aware that you are breathing in, as you breath out become aware of your breath leaving the body. It is such a simple technique to practice and is deeply relaxing.
You may wish to use a simple mantra to tune into the breath, I love this technique by one of my favourite meditation guru Thich Nhat Hanh
Breathing in, I know I am breathing in. Feel the breath flowing through your whole body.
Breathing out, I know I am breathing out. Allow the exhale to release any tension you have in the body.
You don’t need to change the breath in any way, simply breathe as you normally breathe.
After a couple of minutes of this practice, your breath will naturally begin to slow down and deepen and you will feel calmer, more present and happier.
When you first begin to practice this breathing technique, you may find that your mind very quickly begins to wander into thoughts or other distractions. This is ok and perfectly normal. Simply bring your awareness back to the breath as soon as you notice it has become distracted.
I hope you enjoy this breathing technique, if you’d like to learn more about meditation techniques then please take a look at my Instagram page for my meditation plan and see if you can feel happier and healthier in only seven days.
Love Jennifer x