Struggling with Insomnia? Try This Next
Dealing with insomnia? A Harvard graduate has developed a method that claims to put you to sleep in seconds.
Who among us hasn't experienced countless restless nights, tossing and turning in bed, unable to close our eyes, even though we were very tired? Dr. Andrew Weil, a Harvard graduate from the USA, claims to have developed an effective breathing technique that helps you fall asleep in just a few short minutes. So, how does this 4-7-8 method work?
In the first step, you need to take a deep breath through the nose for four seconds.
In the second step, you need to hold the air in your lungs for seven seconds.
In the third step, you need to exhale the air in small "batches" at a time, for eight seconds.
(Photo: shutterstock)It sounds too easy, but according to Dr. Weil, the gradual slowing of heartbeats helps the brain release soothing substances, and then - whether you want to or not, your eyes will close. "Some find it works immediately the first time, while others need three or four trials. But in the end, it works," promises Dr. Weil.
So what is the logic behind the breathing method? Dr. Weil explains that we often come to bed after a long day of hectic activities at home and outside, and often - the stress we endure throughout the day follows us into the hours when our internal systems are supposed to relax and gather strength for the next day. This stress causes our body to release an increased amount of adrenaline, which is why we are "restless" before sleep. "The breathing technique helps reduce and balance the amount of adrenaline released into the body, essentially telling the heart that it can now relax and slow its beating rate."
