I take at most a dozen deep breaths and suddenly conk out without even noticing I'm falling asleep. Sometimes all it takes is 3 or 4 breaths.
Breathe to Fall AsleepThe secret is to remain very calm and do this exercise gently and without force or strain.
Prepare by making your body comfortable. Blow your nose if necessary, empty your bladder or bowels; wash your hands, face and mouth; turn off all distractions or lights.
Arrange your body and bedcovers to your preferred sleep position. Some are front sleepers, some side, some back. If you believe your hands will be cold during the night, place them under the covers before beginning the exercise.
Lying thus comfortably with eyes closed, breathe in through your nose, slowly inhaling as much air as you can, easily expanding your waist and abdomen until you are fully inflated; hold it gently for three or four seconds.
Then just let it go through your nose, with no effort to make yourself exhale. Just let it all deflate by gravity, getting most of the air out without strain. Hold your deflated state for three or four seconds.
Repeat the breathing steps, as above. If you wish, envision with each inhale a cleansing flow of air or light permeating every part of your body — filling your toes, fingertips and head, your inner organs, your brain, eyes, etc.
If something specific is bothering your mind, silently repeat the simplest possible affirmation with each exhale: "I release all tension" (or "all fear", "all pain", "all anger", "all sadness", etc).
If you become restless, gently return to the exercise until you fall asleep.
This exercise raises your blood oxygen and aerates your entire body, helping you sleep soundly and feel better the next day.
Yes, good breathing is needed for other healthy life style and diet chanegs to fuly work, but that effort (proper breathing) is best applied all day long.
It works. I’ve seen me do it.