Breathing exercise · 5 · 7
5-7 breathing exercise for a hot day — when you are not in the mood
A five in, seven out pattern, counted for you on screen.
Follow the circle. It counts for you.
How it works
Breathe in for 5, then let the breath go for 7 counts. Not being in the mood is a normal starting point. Nothing abstract for the next few minutes.
Why it can help
The hold, where there is one, is short. The work is in the length of the release, not the pause.
The pattern, in seconds
| Phase | Length | Starts at |
|---|---|---|
| Inhale | 5s | 0s |
| Exhale | 7s | 5s |
One round is 12 seconds. At the default 6 rounds this practice runs 72 seconds — about 1 minute — plus a breath or two of ordinary breathing between rounds.
Good for
- when you have read the same paragraph three times
- in the car, parked, before you go inside
- when you wake at 3am and the room feels too quiet
Tips
- Keep the effort mild. If you can hear yourself breathing hard, slow it down.
- Rest for a few seconds between rounds if the pattern feels demanding.
- Nothing is held here, so there is no moment where you are waiting for permission to breathe.
Please note
If holding your breath makes you dizzy or uncomfortable, skip the holds entirely and breathe slowly and evenly instead. Never push through lightheadedness. If you are pregnant, or manage a heart, blood pressure or lung condition, check with a doctor before doing breath holds.