Aunty first heard about this 4-7-8 breathing exercise from Kay of Musings. This supposedly helps you fall asleep, and so Aunty, on the few occasions when it was hard to fall asleep at night, would breathe in, hold, and exhale continuously, and find herself becoming light headed – but still wide awake.
Then, a link in one of Dr. Mercola‘s articles was to Dr. Andrew Weil’s instructional video on only doing 4 breath cycles at a time, once or twice a day, and NOT as many as one is able to do. This cycle of 4 originated in India and has health benefits of anxiety relief, lowering blood pressure (one of Aunty’s new health concerns), and can give one a refreshing boost as well as ease of falling asleep.
Here’s Dr. Andrew Weil explaining how to do this exercise:
Actually, Aunty did put her digital blood pressure cuff on while doing this breathing exercise and it DID result in a nicer lower blood pressure reading!
Aunty will be starting this practice daily. Sometimes while sitting on the toilet in the morning since nothing else is going on at that time. *It seems like Kay of Musings and Aunty are on the same info plane because just yesterday, Kay posted about blowing while constipated. What a coincidence, and SO worth a try!
Another practice (unrelated to toilet habits) that Aunty believes in is magnet therapy. Kay has trigger finger and Aunty suggested she use magnets to help heal the area around her joints. Sometimes Aunty grabs a business card magnet – those freebie things that come in the mail or are attached to phone books when they are first delivered – and lays it on the area of pain. For Aunty, this is usually her neck and/or shoulders. Perhaps it is her imagination, but it almost feels like the pain is lifted away.
In any case, these are 2 free methods of wellness that Aunty wanted to share with you today. If anyone wants Aunty’s 4-7-8 breathing magnet as well as 3 other of her magnets, please email Aunty (aunty@hawaii.rr.com) with your U.S mailing address and Aunty will gladly mail out a set of her 4 magnets. You can use these magnets as reminders on your refrigerator or file cabinet, or for temporary magnet therapy.
Wishing you peace, happiness, and wellness!
Darn! I tried the magnets. Didn’t work for me. I’m now trying those ring things that my cousin told me about, but they don’t seem to help me either. Sigh…
Google search and google search until you find something else that you think might work or are willing to try.
If I find anything, I’ll let you know!
Who da heck has trouble falling asleep? I’m practically asleep before my head hits the pillow 🙂 I would like to test with the blood pressure though, just to see if it works.
Try! It works for me when I am in the doctor’s office and reading is high. Helps a little.
Another trick I just read about is having squeezing those spring wrist handgrips for 5 seconds and release repeatedly for 2 minutes. Rest for 2 minutes and do your other hand. That’s 8 sets per hand – or work up to that many sets because it can get hard to do. Do this 3 times per week.
Also hibiscus tea – but I didn’t like it because it would stain my teeth, and I no like stained teeth. Olive leaf supposed to be good too. Actually, got plenty stuff, like lowering salt intake, and of course eating healthier. Cannot stand that kind lifestyle changes but will do so if I have to.
OH ho…. Just found some strong magnets. I’ll give it a try.
Hope it does!
I did the breathing last night and it put me to sleep pretty quick, thank goodness. He says the tongue in back of the teeth is important in yoga. Funny, but that’s what we’re supposed to do in tai chi/qi gong too. Thank goodness I haven’t been doing the breath thing more than 4-5 times at night. (Maybe it would have knocked me out.) Except for the tongue thing, I’ve been pretty much doing what he said.
I shall make a more conscious effort to put my tongue on the roof of my mouth while practicing TaiChi. Maybe it will help, thanks!
Thanks for the tips! I love your multitasking idea!
You’re welcome, Jalna, and thanks!
Tried the breathing exercise for BP increase at recent checkup & wish to try the magnet therapy on achy muscles. Will take you up on your offer of the useful magnets, would love to try out the recipes too. Mahalo nui loa, for helping your subscribers to improve their health & well-being. Tutu
Your magnets are soon in the mail, Tutu! Mahalo for your kindness!