Depression

Focus On Your Mindful Breathing If You Are Depressed

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Two features of depression are a lack of energy and a lack of interest in doing the things you used to find pleasurable, facts you probably know intimately if you have been feeling depressed. You’re lethargic, you just want to lay in bed all day and sometimes you probably do. To make matters worse you get down on yourself for this very lack of motivation, for not doing much with your life, adding to the sense of guilt and worthlessness that may have already been eating away at you.

A simple thing you can do for yourself that could very well be a stepping stone to getting you better is to focus on your mindful breathing. Your breathing is right there with you around the clock; you don’t even need to get out of bed to practice.

Plenty of people all over the world consider their breathing to be the most meaningful thing in their lives, something to which they dedicate an inordinate amount of time and attention. Here we have an activity that doesn’t require a lot of energy or for you to be social yet can instill a sense of meaning by making you feel like you’re doing something valuable with your time, helping you combat those guilt feelings about wasting your life.

If you want to try practicing mindful breathing, just come to the present moment and focus all your attention on your slow, rhythmic inhalations and exhalations. The idea is to empty your mind of all thought, although when thoughts do flit across your conscious awareness don’t get down on yourself just recognize them, accept them, and then refocus your attention on your breathing.

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