Breathing exercises to relax & go back to sleep
A short breathing exercise at bedtime can help you fall asleep more quickly and improve your sleep quality. It can also help you fall back asleep if you wake up during the night.
Your parasympathetic nervous system governs your body’s ‘rest and digest’ activities, including sleep
Controlled breathing can induce relaxation by activating your parasympathetic nervous system
More rapid breathing is associated with heightened stress and anxiety. Breathing exercises can be used to calm your nervous system and manage emotional responses such as anger at any time of day, but especially when they may interfere with being able to fall asleep.
Controlled breathing ensures a balanced exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, which can improve blood oxygenation and overall physiological conditions for sleep.
Want to learn more? Check out these studies.