A Quick Note on Breathing

It seems like everyone’s trying to speed up.  Do more faster for longer.  Sounds tiring.  I’m trying to do the opposite.  Slow down.  Do less things at once.  I find that there’s a paradox in doing so; results are faster and better.  Essentially, it’s just focusing on whatever you’re doing.  When you do that, you have less energy to focus on other stuff.  And the more you do it, the easier it gets, the better you get at whatever you're focusing on.

The first step in slowing down, is noticing when your’e speeding up.  When I notice that I’m rushing, or thinking too far ahead, I stop and just focus on breathing.  I find there’s a direct correlation between the cadence of my breath and my experience of time.  Sometimes I’ll notice I’m not fully exhaling.  I think that would associate with not letting go, which I can, at times, relate to my own thought patterns.  Makes sense to me.  When I notice I'm rushing, I find I'm not taking diaphragmatic breaths.  They're short and fast instead of long and low.  Taking a slow, deep inhale and relaxing my shoulders can do wonders.  Unless I'm overly caffeinated, deep breaths are like Jackson's Honest Heirloom Purple Potato Chips.  You can't eat just one.  It’s like slowing down buys you time.

I know it sounds counterproductive, but just try it.  When you’re rushing and panicking and breathing poorly minutes before a deadline.  Just drop whatever you’re doing, take a few breaths and focus on what’s right in front of you.  Easy to talk about, right?