Work problems, family affairs, relationship troubles or financial difficulties, and related emotions like anxiety, anger and guilt, can keep many of us up at night. In fact, some 60 million Americans and 51 percent of Brits have problems getting to sleep.
Women, in particular, have much more problems than men. A staggering 75 percent of women surveyed in the UK said they frequently couldn’t fall asleep, while only 25 percent of men reported difficulties.
Clearly, this cuts down the amount of quality slumber you’re getting, which doctors have linked to all sorts of problems, such as increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, diabetes and obesity, as well as depression.
Not only that, you feel drowsy all day, and it undermines your work performance, stops you enjoying your spare time, and can generally make you moody and ratty all day long.
Maybe you have tried everything from walking the block, taking a hot bath, counting sheep and even using booze or pills, but you found that they either don’t work or they have negative consequences. So, getting to sleep can end up seeming like an insoluble problem.
However, Dr Weil has come up with a natural, healthy and quick way to cure that. Its called the 4-7-8 breathing technique, and relies on short and simple breathing exercises to help you do away with insomnia.
On his YouTube channel, Dr Weil says, “it is utterly simple, takes almost no time, requires no equipment and can be done anywhere.” While you can do it in any position, he recommends that it is best done sitting up with you back straight.
The Huffington Post explains how;
“First, place your tongue against the ridge of tissue just behind your upper front teeth. Exhale completely through your mouth.
Then, close your mouth and inhale through your nose while counting to four before holding your breath for a count of seven.
Finally, exhale through your mouth making a “whoosh” sound for the count of eight.
Repeat the cycle three more times.”
Dr Weil also claims that after practicing this for four to six weeks, you’ll find positive changes in your whole body, since the technique, he says, “slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure and improves digestion.”
“Breathing strongly,” he adds, “influences physiology and thought processes, including moods. By simply focusing your attention on your breathing and without doing anything to change it, you can move in the direction of relaxation.”
Weil describes his method as “a natural tranquilizer for the nervous system,” which brings peacefulness and relaxation.
The Daily Mail says that “this extra oxygen can have a relaxing effect on the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes a state of calmness.”
Weil says that the roots of the method are in yoga techniques. According to Medical Daily it’s called, “The Relaxing Breath,” and “is based on pranayama, an ancient Indian practice that means “regulation of breath.”
While some people have commented on his YouTube channel that it worked wonders for them straight away, Medical Daily says that most people will need to practice it twice a day for two months, in order to perfect the technique and be sure to doze off in 60 seconds.
Anyhow, nothing to lose, it seems like it’s worth a try.
