Some of us have trouble sleeping, for various reasons. It is quite frustrating to say the least, particularly if you have a big day ahead. But, a doctor of physical therapy, and a licensed physical therapist, may have come up with a solution. Popularly known on YouTube as Doctor Jo, this doctor has demonstrated on a video a simple breathing exercise which she recommends to clients. She claims it will help you drift off into a relaxed sleep rather quickly, and not spend many hours tossing and turning, or staring at the ceiling.
She calls it the 4-7-8 technique. Basically, it is as simple as inhaling for 4 seconds, holding the breath for 7 seconds, and exhaling it for 8 seconds. Seems simple enough.” when you’re breathing in, you’re just going to breathe in gently and normally through your nose, then you’re going to hold that 7 seconds,” Dr. Jo explains. “ Then when you breath out, you’re going to purse your lips and kind of make like a whooshing sound as you breath out, so it’s a pretty forceful breath for that 8 seconds, and sometimes you may not make it to the 8 seconds, but the more you do, you’ll eventually be able to get there.”
Her advice is to do this breathing exercise lying down on your back, even if you normally sleep on your side. This is to reap the full benefits.” Starting out doing it, you’ll probably only want to do 2 to 4 repetitions, but eventually you’ll work your way up to maybe 8,” Dr. Jo stresses. “ when you’re doing this at first, it might be hard to get that pattern down, but eventually it really does help you fall asleep quicker. It takes some practice the first few times, keep working at it, make sure you’re safe and comfortable doing it,” she adds.
While she gives no explanation on how and why it works, it seems many who have tried are happy with the results. There will always be remedies for many ailments, from many different people. Some do work, while others may not get the desired results. But, it is all up to you, try what you think will work, and for as long as it is not hazardous, then there’s no harm in trying it out.
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