The 4-7-8 Breathing Technique: Health Benefits and Demonstration

The 4-7-8 breathing technique is a breathing exercise developed by Dr. Andrew Weil. It stems from an ancient yogic technique called pranayama, which helps practitioners gain control over their breathing, calming the nervous system in the process. Please note that this article contains recommended affiliate resources.

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Hey Amazing You! Today’s article is dedicated to sharing with you a simple yet profound breathing exercise called the 4-7-8 breathing method. Created by one of my favorite Doctors, Dr. Weill.

If you’re not familiar with his work, then this one technique will definitely get you to start digging into more what Dr. Weill is teaching for having health and vitality in a holistic manner.

Let’s Explore How and Why It’s Important to Start Working With the 4-7-8 Breathing Technique.

How to Perform the 4-7-8 Breathing Technique:

First, close your mouth completely and inhale quietly through the nose to a mental count of four. (Normal count not Mississippi count)
Hold your breath for a count of seven.
Then, exhale completely through your mouth only, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight. (The exhalation is always the longest remember that)
The 3 steps described above makes one breath. Now inhale again through the nose and repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths.

If you are a Kinesthetic learner like me then this video illustration by Dr. Weil himself explains in detail how to use The 4-7-8 Breathing Technique.

So let’s dive in and watch together:

The 4-7-8 Breathing Demonstration:

The 4-7-8 Breathing Technique

The Importance of Developing a Regular Practice

Once you learn this breathing technique, start to develop the habit of practicing it every day, twice a day.

The 4-7-8 Breathing is a wonderful stress antidote because it helps the practitioner enter the relaxed Alpha Brainwave state almost immediately.

As Dr. Weil demonstrates in the video shared above, this technique is a very useful tool that you can take with you anywhere and you can utilize any time.

When Should You Deploy the Technique?

Use it whenever something upsetting happens. So before you even react to the situation, deploy the 4-7-8 Breathing technique.
Use it to gain awareness of your internal tensions and then release them.
Also, another great time to use is whenever you are having a hard time falling asleep.
Furthermore, you can even use it to deal with food or sugar cravings.
Using the 4-7-8 method has been known to relieve mild to moderate anxiety.
Doing this stimulating breathing is aimed to raise your vital energy and improve your state of alertness.

The Bottom Line Is, Everyone Can Truly Benefit From the 4-7-8 Breathing Technique

So, are you brave to try it yet?

I am sure you are!

Please let me know your thoughts about the method once you try it out. If you already are familiar with this method and used it before, please share with me and the community what other ways you used the 4-7-8 Breathing Technique.

Wishing you a wonderful day!

LUV,
Zane

Ps. Don’t forget to share the knowledge, after all, sharing is caring!

Pin to Pinterest by hovering on the top left of the image below:

4-7-8 Breathing is great for reducing stress

Disclaimer: This isn’t medical advice!