Why is it important to sleep well?
- Your body, your tissues heal and repair when you sleep.
- Your brain needs deep sleep to function properly.
- Your hormone system balances and calms when you sleep deeply.
- You will lose weight when you sleep well.
Sounds great, right?!
Here are some suggestions for getting deep and restorative sleep every night:
- Get away from all screens (TV, Computer, Phone, Tablet) for at least 1-2 hours before bed. Looking at a lighted screen activates your brain and stresses it. This is not conducive to good sleep. If you need to read before bed, use an actual book or papers.
- Go for a short (even just 5-10minute) walk outside-notice the sky/stars, breathe deeply, and let your limbs relax.
- Take a nice bath or shower and let your muscles soften. Using bath salts will allow you to absorb natural magnesium through your skin, which helps to relax muscles.
- Take a good quality magnesium glycinate supplement (the Calm and Clear product from the PNH pharmacy is great) — this is the form of magnesium most helpful to your nervous system. Your brain will calm and relax.
- Clear your bedroom of everything except your bed, clothes, altar space, and dark curtains. Have a soft bedside light and do not use an overhead light at night. Having nothing in your bedroom that stimulates your mind will help you relax and sleep more deeply.
- Put a hot water bottle or heated rice bag at your feet. Research has shown that if your feet are warm you will sleep more deeply and longer.
- Use comfy natural fiber sheets, and pajamas (if you wear them). This allows your skin to breathe.
- Keep a dream journal by your bed. If you awake in the night write down your thoughts, if you wake with racing mind write down what is bothering you, make lists of what needs to be done-that way you can let go of it and go back to resting.
Following these steps will help you get deep, restorative sleep. I hope you will try! Sweet dreams.