What is your experience with the 4-7-8 breath?

[Aurora]

What is your experience with the 4-7-8 breath? I read that if you practice it daily that time it will help you stay more relaxed. I feel like right now my body is always on alert for the next sign of danger and I’ve been using this breath as a way to cope throughout the day for the past few days.

 

[IrishSceptic]

its really excellent. I use it if I'm ever waiting in traffic or in a shop for example.

 

[Ellen]

I use it often and find it soothing and calming in the moment. However, I am unable to say whether or not it works in the long term to generally make me a calmer, more relaxed person.

 

[Mala]

This is a form of form of pranayama which Andrew Weil has made famous & it is very effective. It has a very quick & relaxing effect on the body & can be used anytime you feel that u need to calm yrself. Not only does it have immediate effects but if u sit & practise this kind of breathing twice a day regularly, u will see some long term benefits too. It has a profound effect on the parasympathetic nervous system which means less anxiety, better sleep, & more oxygen to various parts of the body.

Twice a day for 5 minutes is pretty good. Maybe in the morning after u wake up & just before u go to bed.

Mala

 

[Ellen]

I forgot about the twice a day routine. Thanks for the reminder, @Mala

 

[Walt Oleksy (RIP 2021)]

I actually do the deep breathing even more often, as I need it to relieve any emotional stress.
Sometimes I just do what others suggest... 4-4-4, but the 4-7-8 seems to be what is most recommended.

I feel calm right away from deep breathing. Every article or book or video on relaxation says deep breathing
is the number one way to calm down. Five minutes of deep breathing with eyes closed while meditating... just focusing on the breathing...
is what lots of stress-relief practitioners recommend. I like to do it while listening to calming music.