Can't sleep? Forget sleeping pills, warm milk, and herbal teas. Dr. Andrew Weil has a quick, simple trick that will help you drift off in only 60 seconds. He calls it The 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise.

The exercise is a form of relaxation that reduces tension in the body. "It's utterly simple, takes almost no time, requires no equipment and can be done anywhere," Dr. Weil says on his website (www.drweil.com).

• Exhale completely through your mouth, making a "whooshing" sound.

• Close your mouth and inhale through your nose while counting to four.

• Hold your breath while you count to seven.

• Exhale completely through your mouth, while making a "whooshing" sound again and counting to eight.

• Repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths.

The breathing exercise is a tranquilizer for the nervous system, Dr. Weil says. "Unlike tranquilizing drugs, which are often effective when you first take them but then lose their power over time, this exercise is subtle when you first try it but gains in power with repetition and practice," he says.

Practice makes perfect, says Weil, who suggests practicing the technique twice daily for six to eight weeks until you can fall asleep in 60 seconds.

"This exercise cannot be recommended too highly," says Dr. Weil. "Everyone can benefit from it."