Modern society is busier than ever. Sure, we aren’t busy surviving like our ancestors were, but we are busy nonetheless. Just ask any college student, any parent with a full-time job, or just any human you see around you. In such busy times, a few minutes of meditation can make the difference between a busy lifestyle and a nervous breakdown. But finding time to meditate is nearly impossible when our to-do list is not even halfway done. This is what silent breakfasts are for. We all eat breakfast. We might as well meditate through it.
The trend of silent breakfast has been picking up speed lately, and it helps those who practice it enjoy a somewhat meditative state, even if only for a few minutes. While the trend’s popularity is only becoming apparent now, the ritual is pretty old and has been in practice by monks and nuns for a long time. But that doesn’t mean you have to be religious to enjoy it. Spending some time in silence isn’t exactly meditation but it affects us similarly — it lowers our heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels.
In order to enjoy a silent breakfast, you need to get rid of your phone for a while and turn off any electronics that might make noise or demand your attention (TV, radio, etc.) oh, and breakfast, of course. Bonus points if you can have your breakfast in a yard or by an open window. Now that you’re sitting down with nothing but your thoughts, you can really breathe deeply and listen to them. Being far away from the things that normally keep our heads and our hands busy can make us feel a little anxious. Beginners might struggle a little in the first few minutes. But if you just stick through it and ignore the voices that tell you it’s stupid and urge you to check your phone, you will find that time quite liberating. You will be able to better appreciate the state of your food and really feel your body entering a calmer state.