I occasionally bring up the benefits of meditation on this blog. And while the benefits vary — from a temporary change in mindset to overall well-being — I’m unaware of any downsides to the practice.

That said, starting a meditation practice can be difficult. There’s a misconception that you need a special space to practice, or that doing so requires a significant commitment of time.

Tim Ferriss often mentions a quote along the lines of “If you don’t have 20 minutes to sit and meditate, then you need 2 hours.” And while I can’t recall who he is quoting, the idea that we should be taking the time is on point.

However, one of the most profound benefits of meditation that I’ve learned over the years doesn’t require a commitment of time.

It can be done in the span of ten deep breaths.

Our waking minds are a constant stream of chaos. Regardless of how in-control of our thoughts we think we are — we aren’t. The simple realization of this fact can have a huge impact on the way we view our experiences.

So whether or not you have a meditation practice, when you’re done reading this post, I want you to try something.

Sit where you are, close your eyes, and take ten deep breaths. Focus on the breath from start to finish. Point all of your attention to the feeling of breathing, whether the air passing through your nose or the rising and falling of your chest.

See if you can focus the entirety of your attention on those ten simple breaths. Think of absolutely nothing else but your breath.

Ten, fifteen, twenty seconds maybe — depending on how deeply you breathe. It’s a blink of time in the span of your day.

Ten breaths, try to focus on nothing else.

Watch what happens.