I primarily practice Anapanasati, or “mindfulness of the breath”. It is the meditation that the Buddha taught, if you breathe long, acknowledge that you breathed long, if you breathe short, acknowledge that you breathed short. It is not meant to guide the breath into a state of being even, but just being mindful of the breath. Anytime that you are distracted, merely bring yourself back to the focus on your breath.
I aim for an hour each session, and I like to have two sessions, one in the morning and one in the evening. I have absolutely, discovered a treasure trove with this meditation. The more I practice it, the better I become: I have a healthier diet, I treat others with the loving-kindness and compassion that the Buddha asks us to, I increase in desire to do what is right, I can freely abstain from bad habits like masturbation, which I affectionately call the thief of motivation.
I don’t understand why, but I am grateful that it does.