4-7-8 Breath Helps with Sleep and Relaxation

May 10, 2017 13:50

By Mara Landis

1445 - Community Leader

Blogger, Mother, Founder of Nutmeg Aspirin, Advocate & "Guinea Pig" for feeling-getting-being-better. Mara is a NY State Safe & Healthy Foods Advisory Council Member, an Advisor to Columbia University’s Spirituality Mind Body Institute, and is currently involved in The Vitality Project at Brown University--a research study looking at the effects of Qi Gong on cancer patients post chemo and radiation as well as supporting efforts to bring mindfulness to doctors in training and the students at large. Mara is a perpetual student of all aspects of holistic living and passionate about helping others to "feel, get and be better."

Photo by Andalucía Andaluía on Unsplash

New Yorker living in Mexico City. Co-founder of COLAB Cold Brew and team member of Nutmeg Aspirin. Thanks to my progressive hippie parents, I've been lucky enough to have access to homeopathic and holistic doctors since I was born.

How It Works

Breathe in for 4 counts. Hold for 7 counts. Exhale for 8. Repeat 4 times.

Total amount of time: 76 seconds.

Here is a video by Dr. Andrew Weil. I learned this trick from him.

https://www.drweil.com/videos-features/videos/the-4-7-8-breath-health-benefits-demonstration/

E-A-S-Y!!!!!!

What You’ll Need

Nothing!

Difficulty

Easy Neither easy
nor hard Somewhat
challenging Very
challenging

Story

I saw Dr. Weil's video online. One night I was having trouble sleeping and decided to try it and...it worked! Since then, it is my "go to" when my mind is racing and I have a hard time settling into sleep.

But I also use it when I am nervous. I recently stood up to ask a question in front of a large audience and all of a sudden felt a wave of anxiety. As I waited my turn at the microphone, I did the 4-7-8 breath and it immediately calmed me and brought me back to balance.

#Dr. Andrew Weil #sleep #calm #4-7-8 #Breathe

By Mara Landis

1445 - Community Leader