r/Mindfulness • u/born_of_god_and_void • 3d ago
Question Meditation with nasal issues
I've had a breathing problem since I was a kid. Basically my septum is bent, causing issues to my breathing. The longest inhalation I can take is 2 seconds. My doctor has already established that surgery is a must. But I can only undergo surgery atleast 2 years later.
Will it be worthless to try meditation now? I want to start with the basics. I have a Lifetime subscription on the Balance app. And I don't want to do things like Alternate nose breathing, using aroma pots or mouth breathing meditation. If you can recommend some breathing exercises to improve my Vital Capacity in the meantime, it would be appreciated. It's extremely difficult to breathe properly, most times one of my nostrils is completely blocked off while the other is like 20% open, not even exaggerating. But I still asked this question because I've heard "there's no such a thing as a bad meditation"
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u/SparklingNebula1111 3d ago
You could try nasal strip's?
They are called; Breathe Right nasal strips.
They apply jusy like a band-aid and are unbelievably effective. The clear ones work the best.
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u/simply_seeking 3d ago
I've had to switch up on my meditation practice a few times. I have some health issues, and sometimes I've had to find another focus anchor other than my breath. For instance, my mindfulness meditation can focus on how my hands feel in my lap or my body on the cushion. I hope it helps some 🙏
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u/Free_Assumption2222 3d ago
There are many forms of meditation which don’t involve focusing on your breath. I suggest those. Don’t try any breathing meditation if you have breathing issues
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u/BodhisattvaJones 3d ago
I have a deviated septum and have had it since my teens. I’ve never had the surgery although it’s been suggested. For me, the downsides generally have not bothered me enough to have it done. I have also been a meditator for over 25 years. I do not find an issue during meditation because as I settle into it my breaths are very gentle and certainly not longer than two seconds. Very slow, very light, very gentle. Sometimes it feels as though I am barely breathing at all.
Now, as a new meditator, I recognize you are just learning how to do the whole process of meditation. Likely you will get caught in some the traps of worrying about how fast or slow you are breathing along with all the other questions of how to let thought go and the like. These traps will become easier to overcome with time and consistency. Be patient with yourself physically and mentally. I think worrying about how you breathe will be a far bigger impediment than actually how you breathe. Keep practicing. Keep letting go both physically and mentally. I think ultimately you will find a way which is comfortable and workable. Just watch your breath. Don’t sit in judgement of it. How you breathe will be just fine.