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Last Updated: Aug 29, 2019
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How to Fall Asleep in Under a Minute

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Dr. K V AnandPsychologist • 22 Years Exp.BASM, MD, MS (Counseling & Psychotherapy), MSc - Psychology, Certificate in Clinical psychology of children and Young People, Certificate in Psychological First Aid, Certificate in Positive Psychology, Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health
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For years I used to have trouble falling asleep at night. I would lie awake in bed, tired, yet incapable of drifting off into slumber. This would wreak havoc on my mornings, I'd have a hard time getting out of bed and was consistently late for work.

I confided this to my friend, and she asked me if I ever tried the “4-7-8” method, which she claimed was helping her fall asleep in no time. I tried this method, and it has been consistently working ever since. I now get a full night’s sleep, I’m never late for my job, and best of all – I feel refreshed.

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The 4-7-8 Breathing Technique

Harvard-educated Dr. Andrew Weil developed the 4-7-8 method, an easy way to calm both the mind and the body, thus helping you fall asleep in under 60 seconds. Other benefits of this technique include stress-reduction, slower heart rate, improved concentration, and more.

The technique is very straightforward and easy:

You take a deep breath through your nose for four seconds.
You hold your breath in for 7 seconds.
You then forcefully exhale through your mouth for eight seconds.
Repeat the process 4-6 times.

I usually pass out by the third or fourth repetition. What happens is that the way you breathe forces your heart rate to slow, which immediately puts you in a calmer and more sleep-oriented mental state.
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