I’m going to share a secret.

This secret has helped me de-stress, refocus, and even reinvigorate my brain. And the great news is that you can do it any time, anywhere, and often. No one will notice.

Ready?

It’s breathing.

Now – you’re probably thinking, “Duh. We all need to breathe. What’s so special about that?”

The secret is how you breathe. It’s called the 4-7-8 breathing technique, also known as “relaxing breath.”

It’s a wonderful way to regroup, especially if something happened (like your kid taking a Sharpie to your monitor) that made your blood pressure skyrocket.

This breathing pattern can reduce anxiety and is known to help people get to sleep. For whatever reason, it also serves as a pattern disruptor and can help you get back on track with your tasks if you’re having trouble focusing.

You may have seen Dr. Andrew Weil teach the 4-7-8 breathing technique, which he believes can reduce anxiety, help you get to sleep, manage cravings, and control or reduce anger. Here’s a recap:

Before starting the breathing pattern, get into a comfortable sitting position and place the tip of your tongue on the tissue right behind your top front teeth.

To use the 4-7-8 technique, focus on the following breathing pattern:

  • empty your lungs of air
  • breathe in quietly through your nose for 4 seconds
  • hold your breath for a count of 7 seconds
  • exhale forcefully through your mouth, pursing your lips and making a “whoosh” sound, for 8 seconds
  • repeat this cycle up to 4 times

During the times we’re living in, anything we can do to relax is a good thing, right?

We’re used to dealing with numbers, and clarity is something we want to give to you when it comes to discovering options for your retirement portfolio.

If it’s been a while since we’ve last talked, schedule a meeting today to catch up. We’ll revisit your portfolio and discuss your current path to ensure you’re headed in the right direction.

Call us at 513-563-PLAN (7526) or book online to schedule your own financial “4-7-8” session. And don’t be surprised if, after our meeting, you breathe easier.

Call today.

Regards,
Nikki Earley, CFP®