Mind

5 breathwork tools for deep rest & better sleep

5 breathwork tools for deep rest & better sleep - Centr

You’ve had a stressful day, your mind is racing and your nervous system is setting off flares all over the place… There's no way you're going to sleep well tonight.

There is a way to hit reset: breathwork.

What is breathwork? Quite simply, it’s the use of deep breathing exercises or techniques to control and relax your body and mind. It’s a great way to downregulate after an intense workout, and can have a couple of major benefits for your ability to switch off and sleep, too:

What is deep rest?

Deep rest involves reaching a state where stress is completely switched off and our body has a chance to recover at the cellular level. This is when your cells can repair the damage caused by stress, and rebuild to maintain crucial bodily functions.

As well as helping you get through a night without tossing and turning, deep rest is "critically important" to healthy aging and healing.

We’ve lined up 4 breathwork techniques to help you achieve deep rest, and wake up feeling energized.

1. Nasal Breathing with Hold 1/4

1. Nasal Breathing with Hold

This breathing exercise is as simple as it sounds – but can be a really powerful tool to downregulate after training or a big day, and let yourself unwind.

2. Coherence Breathing 2/4

2. Coherence Breathing

Learn to slow and control your breathing in order to activate your parasympathetic nervous system and prepare for sleep.

3. Four-seven-eight Breathing 3/4

3. Four-seven-eight Breathing

Need help winding down? Use this rhythmic 4-7-8 breathing technique: breathe in, hold that breath, then exhale to enter a deep state of relaxation. Maricris will guide you through it.

4. SOS Breathing 4/4

4. SOS Breathing

This five-finger breathing exercise uses breath and touch to instantly break the circuit of racing thoughts and shallow breath. Before bed, it can help to calm your mind and make space for rest.

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