Adults are often plagued by sleepless nights due to stress, anxiety, and the inability to stop thinking long enough to relax.
A sleepless maid-of-honor dealing with similar issues received life-changing advice from the wellness practitioner bride. Inhaling through the nose for four seconds, holding for seven, and then slowly exhaling for eight creates a soothing reaction within the body that promotes relaxation and sleep.
Upon testing the method, the building stress leading up to the wedding was no match for the simple breathing trick. Calming the uneasiness of anxiety relies on slowing the heartbeat and reducing the feeling of an adrenaline rush. Practicing the 4-7-8 breathing technique at night causes a beneficial chain reaction throughout the body that is similar to using a sedative drug, without any of the side effects or dependence.
Instead of taking shallow breaths, people extending their inhalation and exhalation pattern increase the amount of oxygen entering the body. As a result, the mind and body are immediately relaxed enough to allow the individual an opportunity to fall asleep.
Although there are no proven clinical benefits to practicing controlled breathing methods, it can be very helpful to people suffering through sleepless nights. Not only can it calm the mind at bedtime, but many use it as a stress-relief method during the day.
People use it to overcome common fears, such as flying in an airplane or standing up before an audience at a public speaking engagement.
