If your busy life feels like a treadmill, and you’re ready for some ideas on how to press the Pause button, here’s something you can try.

When people ask how you’re doing, perhaps you respond with, “Oh, busy”. Has it become your standard response?

No doubt you’re aware of all the research on the positive health benefits of meditation, and how it actually changes and improves brain function. But who has time to meditate, right?

If “busy” feels like a treadmill, and you’re ready for some ideas on how to press the Pause button, here’s something you can try. It’ll take less than two minutes.

Get comfortable in your chair (but not so comfortable that you might fall asleep).
Breathe in, breathe out.
Repeat twice more.

Next time you inhale, count “1”. On the exhale, repeat “1”.
Inhale, say to yourself “2”. Exhale, “2”.
See if you can make it to 10 without your mind drifting to the grocery list. If your thoughts do wander, gently start again,tracking your breaths from 1 to 10.

Breathe in, breathe out.
Open your eyes.

As you go about the rest of your day, see if you notice any subtle changes that take place.