Could moon breathing help you sleep better?

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**Joseph Chance** (2:05)
Could moon breathing help you sleep better?
Thanks for asking.
In this day and age, it's common to feel stressed every day, even right through to the evening. Have you ever struggled to lower your stress levels when it comes to bed time, and taken a long while to fall asleep as a result? The worry of not getting enough sleep then just gets you even more frustrated. It's a vicious circle. If you're falling victim to anxiety and fatigue for that reason, it's time to stop binge watching Netflix and try moon breathing instead. What's that? It's a type of Pranayama, which is the practice of breath regulation and originates from yoga. In Sanskrit, moon breathing is called Chandra Bedana, which literally means the breath that passes through the moon. It's a tool to combat insomnia and promote more restful sleep. You can actually integrate it into your daily life on its own to increase a sense of calmness. It involves the nose, mouth, and upper body, as well as the mind and awareness of your surrounding space. The idea is to release tension by breathing and focusing on the left side of the body. According to yoga, the left side is where intuitive, feminine, and lunar related energies are located. How can I get started with moon breathing then? Okay, try to follow these steps with me as you listen. Take your right hand and use your thumb to close your right nostril. Then place your index and middle fingers between your eyebrows, leaving your ring and little fingers free. The left nostril stays completely open. Once you've managed that hand position and are feeling comfortable, breathe in and out through your left nostril, each time holding your breath for a few seconds. You could repeat six cycles of five breaths, for example, adding up to 30 breaths in total. You want to be in a comfortable position, but not too relaxed. If you already practice yoga in the evening, why not incorporate moon breathing alongside your exercises before going to bed?
How does it actually affect the body? In 2022, a study entitled Breathing from the Left Nostril was published in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine. The researchers behind it had spent four weeks observing students who had never practiced yoga before. They found that breathing through the left nostril improved sleep quality and duration, and reduced daytime discomfort caused by a lack of sleep. Other studies also show that yoga breathing techniques can improve respiratory muscle strength, leading to better oxygen saturation and preventing sleep apnea, which affects close to a billion people worldwide. Chandra Badana also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest and relaxation.