Set aside between 5 and 10 minutes each day for this exercise at a time when you know there will be no interruptions (no phone calls, far from getting off the bus, your favourite TV show hasn’t started yet, you have no plans with anyone, etc.). Then begin the process:
- Sit comfortably in a chair.
- Close your eyes.
- Breathe deeply.
- Focus on your breathing. Notice how you inhale (the air slowly enters your lungs)… listen to how you exhale (the air slowly leaves your lungs)…
- Keep focusing on your breathing. Notice how you inhale… and how you exhale…
- If you realize that your mind wanders, that’s okay. Just gently bring your focus back to your breathing. Calmly. Without frustration. Without abruptness, return to your breathing.
- Continue this for at least 5 minutes.
Teach your mind to concentrate. If it doesn’t know how, help it with this simple and useful trick.