Sleep, breathing, sleep disorders, breathing to manage sleep disorders, stress management, insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, RLS, Alternative therapies, mind-body medicine, integrative therapies

Breathing exercises can promote relaxation. They calm the body and promote sleep. Controlled breathing, such as yogic breathing can help people fall asleep more quickly.

The following breathing exercise is recommended to bring on drowsiness:

	Lie on your back or side, eyes closed, and begin with a few very deep inhalations, filling your lungs as much as possible.
	Exhale fully, drawing in your abdomen to expel as much air as possible.
	Repeat this three times, and at the end of the third exhalation hold your breath as long as you can.

Repeat this procedure two or three times, or until you feel drowsy.

Another suggested breathing exercise for insomnia:

	Exhale completely through your mouth.
	Inhale through your nose to a count of four.
	Hold your breath for a count of seven.
	Exhale through your mouth for a count of eight.

Repeat the cycle three times.