At my recent NYC workshops, I’ve been starting with a simple, but powerful two-minute exercise: the 5-5-7 breath. I first learned this technique as the fastest way to unwind during a lecture Dr. Andrew Weil gave at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition
You can do this anytime, anywhere and it’s guaranteed the quickest and most inexpensive way to completely relax.
Here’s how it works:
Inhale from your diaphragm for a count of 5 until your lungs are 2/3 full
Hold that breath for a count of 5
Exhale for 7
Repeat 5-10 times.
You can try this anywhere: sitting in traffic, on a crowded subway, in the morning, before bed, while you wait for your computer to start up and your email to download.
It’s effective because while your body might be experiencing a state of stress, the slow breathing tricks your mind into thinking you’re relaxed.
When I ask people at my workshops how they feel after we do this exercise, people tell me they feel energized, calm and focused. Many people are surprised by how it feels to actually breath – most of us breath too shallowly throughout the day so it’s important to slow down and take the time to breath mindfully.
I’m excited for you to give this a try and share what you think!
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