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Many people suffer with insomnia, or have a hard time sleeping
at night. They feel that their mind is just too active to fall
asleep, and when they do sleep, it seems to be restless sleep.
There are various opinions and theories about how much sleep a
person needs to function properly, however, it can vary
depending on factors such as:
* health
* physical activity
* other circumstances
One thing everyone can agree on in regards to sleep. The more
peaceful the sleep, the better and more rested we feel in the
morning.
Sleep meditation is a form of regular meditation that can help
relax the mind before sleeping, as well as relieve stress. This
can result in more peaceful and deep sleep. There are many forms
of sleep meditation. No matter which type you choose, there are
some steps you should take before you begin the meditation
process. This will help prepare your body for deeper, more
restful sleep.
Before you begin sleep meditation, it is important for you to
slow down your activities. Do not engage in heavy mental
activity, and do not plan for the next day. If you wish, you
can write down a to-do list before sleep meditation, but leave
it in the other room. You should try to feel good about the day
that is ending. It is best to acknowledge all that has been
accomplished, and all the lessons that have been learned. Also,
learn to forgive yourself for anything that may not have gotten
done, or anything else that may be bothering you. In doing so,
you are preparing your body for sleep meditation, and are
giving yourself a better chance for restful sleep.
Next, before you begin sleep meditation, examine your eating
habits. If you tend to eat shortly before you go to bed, you
may be hindering restful sleep without even knowing it. When
you eat directly before bedtime, your body will be busy with
digestion, thus, it can be hard to sleep deeply. If you feel
you need to eat close to bedtime, try to eat foods that are
easily digested. This will help prepare your body for sleep
meditation, as well as help promote deep, restful sleep.
Finally, before you start sleep meditation, you should practice
left nostril breathing. Our two nostrils are often associated
with two different types of energy. It is said that when we
breathe through our right nostrils, we are energized and
stimulated. When we breathe through our left nostrils, we are
relaxed and calm. During most hours of the day, approximately
every two ours our dominant nostril changes. After we eat, our
dominant nostril will most often change to the left one, in
order to give our bodies the energy needed to digest food. This
is why we commonly feel sleepy after we eat. To practice left
nostril dominance before bed, we can sit quietly, blocking off
the right nostril, while breathing long and deep through our
left nostril. Doing this can actually help facilitate sleep.
About The Author: Sarah Thomas provides articles on wellness
and health http://www.zoneherbal.com. You can find more of her
work at the sites http://www.meditationteam.com and
http://www.aromatherapy-planet.com.
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