Use “4-7-8 Breathing” to deeply relax or to fall asleep.

This useful and powerful technique, made famous by Dr. Andrew Weil, places the body into a state of deep relaxation. “4-7-8 Breathing” is a great way to deeply relax the body and is unbeatable on long flights to fall asleep. Weil offers a step-by-step instructional video on YouTube which has been viewed more than four million times.

1. Take a breath in, then exhale through your mouth with a ‘whoosh’ sound.

2. Close the mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.

3. Hold for a count of seven.

4. Exhale completely through your mouth, with a ‘whoosh,’ to the count of eight.

5. Repeat this cycle for at least four breaths.