There are a few basic needs that every human must have in order to feel good and be healthy. One of those basic needs is getting enough rest, but it is something that is elusive for far too many individuals. Many of us may lay in bed for hours on end without being able to sleep or we may wake up in the middle of the night, unable to get back to sleep again.
If you find that you are having a difficult time falling asleep, this method may just change your life. It is known as the 4-7-8 method, and many people are able to fall asleep within just one minute it after doing it.
Don’t let the simplicity of this method fool you. It can really work and you will be amazed with the results, if you try it.
This is the 4-7-8 method:
1. Breathe calmly through your nose for 4 seconds.
2. Hold your breath for 7 seconds.
3. Breathe out slowly through your mouth for 8 seconds.
It sounds simple but it works!
Why It Works:
Many people who try this method find that they fall asleep before they ever reach the count of eight. Since it works so well, you might be curious as to why it might work.
One of the factors that keeps many of us from sleeping is stress. When we are anxious and stressed, we have more adrenaline in our blood and our breathing is affected. Because this breathing exercise changes the way you breathe, it works as a sort of sedative. When we slow down our breathing deliberately, it also slows our heart rhythm down and calms us.
This exercise can also have a calming effect on the mind as well. Rather than focusing on the stressful events of the day, it allows you to simply focus on your breathing. At the moment you are doing this exercise, your central nervous system is relieved of stress and the anxious feelings seem to disappear.
As a result of these effects on your central nervous system, your mind and your adrenaline levels, your entire body seems to relax. Some people have described this exercise as being similar to an anesthetic. It was first introduced by Harvard medical doctor, Andrew Weil. He recognized that this method has been well known to Indian Yogi for several centuries. They use it as part of their meditative practices to reach a state of relaxation.
How Can This Help You?
First of all, there is nothing like getting a great nights sleep. You seem to wake with a new perspective on life, and you tend to be more productive and happier throughout the day. Additionally, the exercise will help you to fall asleep much faster but it is the overall effect that it has on your body and well-being that will keep you coming back for more.
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