Weekly Challenge: 4-7-8 Breathing

Ready to feel more relaxed and calm? This week’s challenge can help make that happen in just a minute or two every day.

✅Welcome to your 4-7-8 Breathing Break Challenge. 🧘

This is one of my favorite techniques to destress during the day. And not only will it help you destress …

But you’ll feel firsthand how your breath affects your mood almost immediately.

A couple of quick breathing facts:

When you’re anxious or upset, your breathing can get rapid and shallow. This increases heart rate and muscle tension … and can make you feel worse.
When you’re calm and relaxed, you breathe more slowly and deeply – which can increase your sense of calm. It also can lower your heart rate & blood pressure.

💡Basically, breathing slowly and deeply sends a message to your brain to CHILL OUT – and your brain then sends this message to the rest of your body.

Here’s how to do the 4-7-8 Breathing Break:

Sit or stand comfortably, shoulders back to allow your chest and belly to expand and contract with your breath.
Take a slow, deep inhale through your nose. Count to 4 as you inhale.
Hold your breath for a 7 count.
Exhale for an 8 count.
Repeat this 3-5 times. You’ll feel your whole body relaxing!
(Extra credit: do this 3x a day)

Here are some benefits: