Seven Steps to Better Sleep
Struggling with sound sleep? Here's an Ayurvedic practitioner's tips for deeper and more restorative sleep.
We all know that adequate sleep is crucial to optimal health and immune function so make a promise to yourself here and now: get enough sleep—no matter what. We spoke with Ayurvedic practitioner Ashley Rarick of Ayurvedic Vitality about getting a better nights’ sleep, and here are her tips for inducing a deep and restful slumber, naturally:
1. Take 10 deep belly breaths: when lying in bed place your hand over the belly button and breathe in deeply and slowly to the point where you can feel the belly rise for ten breaths. This will stimulate the Vagus nerve, bringing natural relaxation to the body. This can also be done if you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night.
2. Have a cup of warm milk with a pinch of nutmeg and/or a natural sweetener of your choice about an hour before bed. Nutmeg is traditionally used in Ayurveda to naturally relax the body to help induce sound sleep.
3. Have your last meal at least 3 hours before bed.
4. Do not take day naps if you are having trouble sleeping at night.
5. Take a warm bath with rose essential oil before bedtime. This will help you unwind and soothe the mind, preparing for sound sleep. Rose helps heal not only skin, but also brings about a state of deep mental calm and healing.
6. Spend the hour before bed without the use of electronics.
7. Have a cup of warm chamomile tea before bedtime. Chamomile brings deep calm to the nervous system.
Wishing you a better night’s sleep…
