Yoga expert vouches for this ‘powerful technique to induce sleep

As someone who has been practicing and teaching yoga and breathing techniques for over a decade, **Saurabh Bothra**, CEO and certified yoga instructor, **Habuild**, assures that **'belly breathing'** is **“one of the most powerful techniques to release that mental/physical stress, and induce sleep”**¹.

**Belly breathing** is a technique that focuses on the use of the diaphragm rather than shallow chest breathing. When we engage our diaphragm and breathe deeply into the belly, it stimulates the **parasympathetic nervous system**, responsible for promoting relaxation and reducing stress. By consciously practicing deep, slow belly breaths, we signal to our body that it’s time to unwind and prepare for sleep. This technique helps activate the body’s relaxation response, slowing down the heart rate and blood pressure, making it easier to drift off to sleep¹.

Here's how to practice belly breathing:

1. **Lie down on your back** and place one hand on your belly and the other on your chest.

2. **Take a deep breath in through your nose**, ensuring that your belly rises as you inhale.

3. **Hold that breath for a few seconds**, then **slowly exhale through your mouth** as your belly falls.

4. **Repeat this process for a few minutes**, focusing solely on your breath and the rise and fall of your belly.

Give it a try, and may you sleep like a baby! 🌙😴