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Tibetan Buddhist Pema Chodron once said, If it werent for my mind, my meditation would be excellent.
Courtesy of Anne Roderique-Jones
Im not a Buddhist, nor an ordained nun like Chodron, but I completely get what shes saying.
My mind always goes tofoodwhen I meditatemore specifically, cheeseburgers.
My brain also travels to my to-do list, whatever show Imbingeing on Netflix, or current stressors.
Courtesy of Anne Roderique-Jones
Which is exactly why I needmeditation, but also why I can never seem to stick with it.
And loads of studies show that its basically amiracle nondrug for the brain.
We decided to give it a try for a month.
Courtesy of Anne Roderique-Jones
Heres what we learned.
Walking meditation is quite pleasant but difficult to do as a couple with the temptation to talk.
We did most of our meditating in the evening, sitting in bed.
But even when we fell asleep, it felt like a success.
Think of meditation aslifting weightsfor the mind and the brain," he suggests.
“Just like you want to work out each day and not miss your workoutits the same idea.
Does it feel like humans get annoyed way too often?
Surprisingly, meditation helps.
And my husband feels that his road rage is improving.
Arecent paperpublished inCurrent Directions in Psychological Scienceconfirms that meditation can do this.
The handy subscription-based app is loaded with guided meditations for those who cant visit the swanky studio in person.
Its here that I learned to count while breathing, which helped to alleviate thoughts of cheeseburgers.
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Klein says that a great universal practice for beginner or advanced meditators alike is to concentrate on the breath.
“Next, place your focus on the breath and inhale through the nose for four seconds.
Pause gently at the top of the inhale.
Exhale through the nose for four seconds.
Pause gently at the bottom of the exhale.
If your mind becomes distracted, gently bring the focus back to the breath.
Then repeat this breath pattern for 20 minutes.
That’s why he recommends meditating as a couple.
If we connect with each other in that space, it helps to bring those qualities into our relationship.
After a month of daily meditation, that advice completely rings true.
Daily meditation is definitely something well continue as a couple.
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