4 Deep Breathing Exercises To Help You Relax And Fall Asleep Fast! (My Favorite Is The 478 Breathing Exercise)

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Stress and anxiety (and a lack of sleep) are contributing factors for many common health problems.

Stress and anxiety can also affect your immune system — leading to frequent infections, coughs, and colds.

Believe it or not, something as simple as doing deep breathing exercises can help improve things like high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, migraine, arthritis and chronic pain, and other health issues.

Learning to relax and use breathing exercises helps to combat the negative impact of emotional stress and helps you fall asleep faster.

 

You’ll See Results Quickly!

While you might think it’s difficult to make time for relaxation, these simple deep breathing exercises can be performed in mere minutes and provide you with an instant calming effect.

The best part: you can do them anywhere — at home, at work, or in the car!

Here are 4 deep breathing exercises to try…

 

#1 –  Bellows Stimulating Breath Exercise

This stimulating breath exercise, also referred to as the Bellows Breath, is very effective. It is a vigorous breathing exercise that can raise energy and alertness — perfect for pulling out of an energy slump.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Inhale and exhale rapidly through your nose, keeping your mouth closed but relaxed. Your breaths in and out should be equal in duration, but as short as possible. (This is a noisy breathing exercise.)
• Try for 3 in-and-out breath cycles per second. This produces a quick movement of the diaphragm, suggesting a bellows. Breathe normally after each cycle.
• Do not do for more than 15 seconds on your first try. Each time you practice the Stimulating Breath, you can increase your time by 5 seconds or so, until you reach 1 full minute.

 

#2 – 478 Breathing Exercise

The name of the 4-7-8 breathing exercise refers to how long you inhale, hold the breath, and exhale.

Practicing regular, mindful breathing can be calming and energizing and can even help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders.
Source

Ready to try the 478 breathing exercise? Here’s what you do:

• Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound.
• Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of 4.
• Hold your breath for a count of 7.
• Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of 8.

This is 1 breath. Inhale again and repeat the cycle 3 more times for a total of 4 breaths.

 

#3 – Quick Breathing Exercise

The aim of this exercise is to balance carbon dioxide levels by breathing out for longer periods.

Practicing the exercise several times a day will also help to encourage calmer breathing habits.

This exercise is most effective when you follow these 3 simple steps:

• Start by sitting comfortably in an upright position and allow your shoulders to relax.
• Breathe in normally for a count of 3, hold your breath for a count of 2, then breathe out slowly for a count of 6.
• Repeat the exercise 10 times, gently extending the length of the out breath each time.

This deep breathing exercise can also be used in times of stress to bring instant relief from tension and anxiety. To gain maximum benefits, combine the exercise with visualization techniques, such as imagining yourself on a beach, in a park or other safe place.

 

#4 – Sleep Relaxation Breathing Exercise

Getting a good nights sleep is important for you and your continual health. Sleep relaxation exercises help you fall asleep fast.

When you utilize a deep breathing exercise, you are helping to regulate carbon dioxide levels in your body which leads to a deeper sense of relaxation.

Here’s how you should prepare for a great night of sleep:

• Inhale through the nose for a count of 6
• Hold for a count of 3
• Exhale through the nose for a count of 6
• Hold for a count of 3
• Repeat this series 4 more times
• Next, inhale through the nose for a count of 6
• Exhale through the nose for a count of 6
• Repeat this series 4 more times

By slowing down your breathing and increasing the length of your out breath with this deep breathing exercises, your body’s carbon dioxide levels can return to normal and physical tension will be released.

 

More Ways Deep Breathing Helps With Sleep & Stress

• How The 478 Relaxing Breath Technique Helps You Sleep
• The National Sleep Foundation’s Recommended Breathing Exercise
• Change This One Little Thing & Fall Asleep Faster
• Here’s What Happened To Me When I Tried The 478 Breathing Method
• Mindful Breathing Can Reduce Stress More Than You Thinkbe