• Shellofbiomatter@lemmus.org
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        1 day ago

        Just a variation of general breathing exercises.
        Created to calm the body and nervous system down, generally used to help with anxiety, stress, insomnia.

        1. Breathing in while counting to 4(roughly 4 seconds).
        2. holding breath while slowly counting to 4.
        3. breathing out while counting to 4.
        4. waiting for 4 seconds before breathing in again.

        https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-box-breathing

        • Catoblepas@piefed.blahaj.zone
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          1 day ago

          I found putting a number of seconds on it made it much harder for me because I was concentrating so hard on breathing exactly x seconds. Just making it even and slow worked much better. YMMV

          • fizzle@quokk.au
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            1 day ago

            I don’t necessarily subscribe to this belief but there are certainly purveyors of breathing excellence who would tell you that the count for each side of the box is important.

            I agree that counting is challenging.

      • Shellofbiomatter@lemmus.org
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        1 day ago

        Most people do take it without any preparation and in too strong dosages. Basically using it as a high dose stand alone sleeping pill rather than a sleeping aid in conjunction with general sleep hygiene, which starts already during the day.

        Like if i have to resort to the last method, i will be drowsy during the next day, but it’s better than being completely sleep deprived.

        • fizzle@quokk.au
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          1 day ago

          That sounds a bit presumptive.

          Like most supplements, if you already have enough of whatever thing then taking more wont be beneficial.

          • Shellofbiomatter@lemmus.org
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            1 day ago

            Well the next day drowsiness is one of the most common side effects of taking it too much.

            In addition to constantly seeing the same people drinking caffeine products late into the evening, absolutely no exercise and complaining how melatonin does nothing is already enough to presume that they are using it wrong or aren’t taking sleep hygiene seriously enough.

          • WhatAmLemmy@lemmy.world
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            1 day ago

            Not really presumptive if you’re aware that like 99% of the adult population are disrupting their circadian rhythm, and natural melatonin production, with screens and artificial light.

            But yes, like any supplement, don’t take it unless you have a deficiency.