My husband was an insomniac. He would toss and turn, and huff and puff, and wind up having to work or watch TV into the early hours. Then I taught him this brilliantly simply technique from Dr. Andrew Weil, and it helped him enormously. It takes you out of your fight or flight mode into the calm zone where you should be once the sun goes down.
One more tip before you try this exercise tonight: Switch of any screen that is back-lit at least one hour before you go to bed. The light affects your pineal gland’s production of melatonin, a hormone that you need to help you to sleep.
- Exhale through your mouth.
- Close your mouth and inhale through your nose for a count of 4.
- Hold your breath for 7 counts.
- Exhale for 8 counts.
- Repeat the sequence 3 times.
