Simple ways to beat anxiety while battling lupus
We’ve all been there: we’re having a bad day, a bout of anxiety, or trouble falling asleep and what advice do we get? To “just breathe.” A well-intentioned partner, friend, or loved one offers up that age-old platitude and somehow it only serves to stress us out more. Why is something so simple (and so essential to life) difficult to remember in the middle of an anxiety attack or another sleepless night?
When we’re feeling tense or stressed, it’s as if we forget to breathe—really breathe. That’s because shallow, rapid breathing is controlled by the “fight or flight” sympathetic nervous system, while long, deep breaths stimulate the opposing parasympathetic system—the one that tells us to relax.
The 4-7-8 Breath, also referred to as “The Relaxing Breath” has been championed by Weill for years and is said to promote better sleep, reduce anxiety, and even help ward off food cravings. The technique is based on pranayama—a word you may be familiar with from yoga class—which is an ancient Indian practice that simply means “regulation of breath.” It’s an exercise that doesn’t require any equipment, takes less than a minute, and can be done anywhere at any time.
Place the tip of your tongue against the tissue behind your upper front teeth, keeping it there throughout the exercise
Close your mouth and inhale through your nose for 4 seconds
Hold your breath for a count of 7 seconds
Exhale completely through your mouth, pursuing your lips slightly, for a count of 8 seconds
Repeat this cycle three more times, or as many as needed to feel a sense of calm. If it feels awkward to exhale around your tongue when it’s against your upper teeth, purse your lips a little. It’s believed that the ratio of inhalations and exhalations in the exercise allows the lungs to be fully charged with air, helping to better circulate oxygen to the body, promoting a sense of peace. Some people use it to fall asleep quicker, while others use it to center themselves in stressful situations, like traffic jams, panic attacks, or before a big presentation. You can use it to get through serious pain cycles and lupus fogs!
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