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What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

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Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#41
post #21

I've never been more conscious of my breath while computing than when I was playing Subnautica[0], which proffers a (notoriously tense) game loop significantly involving running out of air and coming up for breath. Additionally, I would take swigs of water when my character was getting thirsty. A surprisingly embodied video game. 0. https://unknownworlds.com/subnautica/

When I was playing Subnautica for the first time, several years ago, I got immersed to the point that 1) I really felt like being underwater - my mind was recalling feelings from various swimming pool experiences; and 2) it changed my relationship with water. I found myself having a desire to swim, a kind of pull I don't think I experienced before.

Didn't get that when I picked up Subnautica: Below Zero a few weeks above. I'm guessing it's because I'm now used to the beautiful vistas and underwater gameplay, so the game wasn't such a full-sensory shock to me anymore.

Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#42
post #6

Are there any reliable breathing monitors? Apple Watch/Oura ring have some respiratory metrics but only while sleeping (afaict). A quick google search showed me Oxa [0] but I have no clue if it's reliable, much less while sitting/working. [0] https://www.oxalife.com/ Edit: maybe a pulse ox ear clip would work. Bonus points if it could shock me into breathing again when it detects low values.

This kind of Biofeedback is also useful in monitoring one's meditation practice. Definitely would want recommendations on something like this.

I also want a wearable and app that can alert me when I'm not breathing deeply and rhythmically.

And I'm not talking pulse oximeter here. I'm talking my chest expanding enough with each inhale.

Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#43
post #5

One of the things you quickly discover when you start meditating is how deeply your breath is connected to your mind and body. You can literally detect a thought forming before it does simply by sensing subtle changes in your breathing. You'll also notice how the most trivial thoughts also have a physical manifestation in your body, e.g., mild tension in your eyelids, or a tingling in your abdomen, etc.

This reminds me of how from an early age, when driving with my dad, I could sense when he was about to say something just because he breathing changed for like 3 seconds before he started.

Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#44
post #5

One of the things you quickly discover when you start meditating is how deeply your breath is connected to your mind and body. You can literally detect a thought forming before it does simply by sensing subtle changes in your breathing. You'll also notice how the most trivial thoughts also have a physical manifestation in your body, e.g., mild tension in your eyelids, or a tingling in your abdomen, etc.

How do I get started meditating? Any sources or books?

Guided Meditations are a good place to start!

The Smiling Mind app is excellent.

I'm sure there are plenty of Podcasts and YouTube guided meditations to be had as well!

Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do I get started meditating? Any sources or books?

1. sit down somewhere, a relatively quiet and dark place is nice but you can do it wherever, maybe set a timer, maybe don't 2. close your eyes, pay attention to your breath 3. when thoughts appear in your mind, note them but attempt to keep your attention on your breath, not on your thoughts 4. when you notice that your thoughts have wandered away from your breath, congratulate yourself for noticing this, and go back…

That’s a solid introduction to the most well know type of meditation but the specifics can vary quite a bit and people disagree on the specifics. Many groups consider meditation in a religious context though that’s far from universal. There’s also many ideas around what you should be doing while meditating from simply being in the moment to reflective thoughts.

Still meditation is basically get enough sleep then get in a comfortable position sitting, lying down, or even standing just so long as you can hold it indefinitely and focus on something for long periods. Breathing is always available but options vary wildly from something specific like smoke from a stick of incense, to the environment such as trees blowing in the wind, ripples in a stream, or even the sound of someone leading a meditation. Though in general people follow something similar to what egypturnash mentioned.

Moving meditation allows for some representative action like walking, dance, ritualized prayer, juggling, or even some repetitive factory job where you can do it indefinitely without thinking. Just be careful it’s easy to lose focus on what you’re doing so don’t try this when driving etc.

Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do I get started meditating? Any sources or books?

1. sit down somewhere, a relatively quiet and dark place is nice but you can do it wherever, maybe set a timer, maybe don't 2. close your eyes, pay attention to your breath 3. when thoughts appear in your mind, note them but attempt to keep your attention on your breath, not on your thoughts 4. when you notice that your thoughts have wandered away from your breath, congratulate yourself for noticing this, and go back…

Mind Illuminated is what finally got me into (a more stable) meditation practice.

Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#48
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It definitely helped me fix my road rage. E.g. getting cut off in traffic would usually cause me to inhale and brace my core, it's not hard to get angry from there, but by recognizing it as primarily a physical reaction, I was able to short circuit the secondary emotional reaction.

> E.g. getting cut off in traffic What do people from english speaking countries (I guess mostly from US) mean when they say this? It's such a frequent phrase, but I don't think I ever thought about it as a distinct concept, nor spoke about it as such to any of my friends, and we've all been driving for many years.

You are driving in your lane when suddenly, another driver decides to change lanes right in front of you without signaling or signaling at the last moment. As a result, you are forced to brake or lose your space cushion.

Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#49
post #40

Any musician knows that controlling the breath controls the sound that comes out, even for non wind instruments like violin and piano. This suggests the breath is a connection between our emotional state to the outside world.

I've been a piano player for more than 30 years. I'm not a pro by any means, but I perform regularly. I'm not saying I'm a great player, just that I have some experience with the instrument.

I've never heard of the breath thing.

Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#50
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It definitely helped me fix my road rage. E.g. getting cut off in traffic would usually cause me to inhale and brace my core, it's not hard to get angry from there, but by recognizing it as primarily a physical reaction, I was able to short circuit the secondary emotional reaction.

> E.g. getting cut off in traffic What do people from english speaking countries (I guess mostly from US) mean when they say this? It's such a frequent phrase, but I don't think I ever thought about it as a distinct concept, nor spoke about it as such to any of my friends, and we've all been driving for many years.

Broadly it could be called “a breach of driving etiquette.”

If you are traveling straight in your lane at a steady speed, and somebody enters your right-of-way and forces you to brake or steer away from your intended path, that person is said to have cut you off.

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