It's 1 a.m. You've been tossing and turning since 10:30 p.m. when you first went to bed, but you can't seem to relax your body and shut off your mind. The harder you work at getting to sleep, the more awake you are, and all you can think about is all the work you have to do tomorrow.
Our daily schedules -- battling traffic, shuttling the kids here and there, working, preparing meals, fitting in a social life, even exercise -- can make it difficult to relax. At the end of the day we expect our energy-charged bodies to shut down instantly and make way for sleep. Whether you have trouble falling asleep, or have trouble staying asleep, sleep disruptions can hamper your effectiveness and increase your stress.
To ease into sleep, try a relaxing yoga routine. Yoga has many different forms that aim to "free the student of their ties with the material world" in order to return to the original, ecstatic state of enlightenment and relaxation. Simply put, yoga and its meditative qualities can help you sleep better. Tonight, once you've completed your normal evening rituals, set aside 10 minutes for a five-step relaxation process.
Step 1: Standing Stretch
Stand comfortably with your feet shoulder-width apart. As you inhale deeply, raise your arms above your head with hands clasped, and come up onto your toes. Stretch your whole body upward. Exhale and bring your arms to your sides; lower your heels to the floor. Repeat once more. (Click here to see the exercise.)
Page 1 of 2 -- For step-by-step instructions on how to do bedtime yoga, see page 2.
