If you’ve ever found yourself tossing and turning in bed, desperately wishing you could fall asleep, you need to try a breathing technique called the 4-7-8 method. All you do is breathe calmly through your nose for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, and then breathe slowly out your mouth for 8 seconds.
The method makes most people fall asleep instantly (when they’re snuggled in bed, don’t try it at your desk) because the breathing and holding acts as a kind of sedative. When you’re stressed or anxious, there’s more adrenaline in your blood so you’re more awake and your breaths are faster and shallower.
But taking a moment to force yourself to just breathe and focus on nothing else slows your heart, calms your mind and sends you into a lovely deep slumber. The method has been backed by people from Harvard scientists to Indian yogis so you’re in safe, snoozy hands.
