This Christmas we are all going to get a bit stressed.
Perhaps you will not be able to do your usual workout and your routine is disrupted.
You can however do this breathing exercise to relax you before you verbalise your stress in an unhelpful way!
The 4–7–8 Breathing Technique
This breathing technique developed by Dr. Andrew Weil is a great way to elicit the relaxation response that gets more effective over time.
It is a direct influencer on the Autonomic nervous system, shifting energy from the sympathetic to the parasympathetic system, with many physiological benefits, including lowered blood pressure and heart rate, increased circulation to the extremities and skin, and improved digestion.
It can also help you let go of emotional upset and cravings.
How to do the 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise
1. Place the tip of your tongue against the ridge behind and above your front teeth and keep it there through the whole exercise.
2. Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound.
3. Close your mouth and inhale deeply and quietly through the nose to a (silent) count of 4.
4. Hold your breath for a count of 7.
5. Exhale audibly through your mouth to a count of 8.
6. Repeat steps 3, 4, and 5 for a total of four breaths.
This breathing practice can be done in any position; if seated, keep your back straight.
Note that you always inhale quietly through your nose and exhale audibly through your mouth.
The tip of your tongue stays in position the whole time. Exhalation takes twice as long as inhalation.
The absolute time you spend on each phase is not important; the ratio of 4:7:8 is important.
If you have trouble holding your breath, speed the exercise up but keep to the ratio of 4:7:8 for the three phases.
Practice the exercise at least twice a day and, in addition, whenever you feel stressed, anxious, or off centre.
Do not do more than four breaths at one time for the first month of practice but repeat the exercise as often as you wish.
After a month, if you are comfortable with it, increase to eight breaths each time.
Dr Andy Weil, the Bulletproofbodies team salute you.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsTIyXL-dEsFRXTGbSuOcOA
