Relaxing can be hard to do. There’s always something on our minds, something to distract us, something ‘more important’ than making time for ourselves. Well, there are no longer any excuses as this relaxation technique is easy as pie and only takes 2 minutes. You only need the ability to breathe and count to eight.
Try it next time you’re waiting for the tube, waiting for the kettle to boil or having a shower.
1. Sit or lay in a comfortable position, eyes closed, and place the tip of your tongue just behind your upper teeth.
2. Exhale completely through your mouth, making a gentle “whoosh†sound. Squeeze all the air out of your lungs.
3. Close your mouth and breathe in through your nose to a count of four.
4. Hold your breath for a count of seven.
5. Open your mouth slightly and exhale to a count of eight. If you find you inhale before you get to eight, slow down, pace yourself next time.
6. Inhale and repeat the cycle three more times.
Practice once a day or whenever you feel tense and agitated.
This exercise was taken from realsimple.com