YOGA FOR SLEEP, INSOMNIA AND RELAXATION

Yoga for sleep, insomnia and relaxation

So in today's world sleep can be something that we become deprived of very easily. We have a million things to do and if we stop to sleep we won't get them done. On the contrary our life can become so stressful that we just can't get to sleep even when we try. Sleep can become a problem for us in many ways, stress and worry can stop us from sleeping, getting to bed at different times every night can have an effect and not to mention travelling and sleeping in different places if you work away from home. To contend with this when we do finally get to sleep we wake up to feel worse or even more exhausted.

So how can you help yourself to sleep better or deeper at least when you do manage to lay your beautiful head on the pillow to recharge your batteries. Well i have done a little tip list to help you. So even if you can implement one of these things in your life it will hopefully help your body during resting times.

So first of all why do we need to sleep? 

"When we sleep, our brain takes that time to clean out the build-up of brain junk we accumulate during our waking hours. Sleep is pretty much necessary for our body’s mental street-cleaners to come out and do their work." ~ http://www.geekosystem.com/understanding-sleep/

"We have to sleep because it is essential to maintaining normal levels of cognitive skills such as speech, memory, innovative and flexible thinking. In other words, sleep plays a significant role in brain development." ~ http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/articles/whatissleep.shtml

Sleep problems can happen due to stress levels being high and this is due to the Vata Dosha in the body rising. Not sleeping properly or at all can then become a factor that causes other problems within the body such as constipation or depression and much more. 

So we know it is extremely important to sleep so here are a few tips to hopefully help.

• Avoid drinks with caffeine in them, especially after 5pm 
• Eat healthy, fresh fruit and veg
• Drink water
• Try to cut out or down refined sugary foods, cakes, sweets and drinks.
• Stop yourself from watching violent programs and this includes limiting the NEWS 
• Try to limit heavy food intake after 6pm
• Do a yoga practise when ever you this WILL REDUCE stress levels
• Meditation before you go to sleep
• Have a warm bath 
• Massage oils onto your body (slightly warm sesame oil, brahmi oil, jatamamsi oil)
• Use an eye mask especially if you are travelling if light can disturb you.
• Use ear plugs if travelling
• Drink warm milk add a pinch of Nutmeg or Cardamon to it - YUM
• Eat Cherries they are good for stress and mental fatigue
•  Drink Chamomile Tea

FOR YOU: Here is a Free Yoga Video with a asana sequence and pranayama practice that you can also try to help with any sleeping problems that you may have.

 

PS: Happy Boxing Day