You’re tired. Exhausted. You’re feeling the lack of restful sleep both physically and mentally.
If you could find a way to get more sleep — and better sleep — you just know that you’d be the best version of yourself.
But you have no idea what’s causing your lack of sleep, or how to improve it. You’ve heard that there are positive links between yoga and improved sleep. Could yoga be exactly what you need to improve your sleep and start feeling better?
Continue reading to learn the connection between your body, sleep, and the ways consistently practicing yoga may improve your night’s sleep.
• Understanding the Connection Between Your Muscles, Your Brain, and Sleep • Yoga and Sleep: Can Yoga Really Help You Sleep Better? • 4 Ways Yoga Can Help Release Tension That Causes Trouble with Sleep • How Long Before Most People See Improvement With Sleep After Starting Yoga? • How to Maintain Restful Sleep With Yoga • Discover All the Benefits That Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi Offers
Your mind is constantly racing from the second you lay your head on the pillow.
Did you pay that bill on time? Could you have been a better parent to your children? Is your boss going to give you a hard time for the amount of work you didn’t get done yesterday?
As the thoughts continue to roll in, you can feel your body getting more and more uncomfortable. Now, not only are you going through a cycle of tossing and turning because of the intrusive thoughts, but your body is tense when you just want to sleep.
When your brain is tense, so are the muscles and joints in your body — most often leading to a night — or weeks — of issues with sleep.
The way to a better night’s sleep? Finding a way to relieve those physical and mental stresses may be just what you need.Is practicing yoga regularly the answer?
Studies say it may be.
Absolutely! Think of the times you’ve dealt with insomnia or restlessness at night. Can you recall what caused it?
Maybe you were feeling overwhelmed with the day's tasks that didn’t get completed. Maybe your mind was racing over things out of your control? Was your body achy or tight?
Whether your lack of sleep was caused by physical ailments, or something mental, practicing exercises like yoga regularly has the potential to improve your ability to fall asleep and improve the quality of your sleep.
One study found that 55% of people who practice yoga regularly reported improved sleep — but how, exactly, does yoga benefit your night’s sleep?
Here are four ways yoga may reduce the number of sleepless nights you’re facing.
The stressors of life are taking over. Your boss expects more from you, your family needs more from you, you need more from you— but by the time it’s time for bed, your mind is overwhelmed and you just can’t sleep.
Fueled by the stress hormones epinephrine and cortisol, stress can impair your ability to think clearly, function optimally, and even relax.
One of the best ways to manage and counteract the effects of stress is through yoga and meditation.
The self-soothing techniques of yoga are said to train your parasympathetic nervous system, potentially reducing stress almost immediately by lowering your heart rate and regulating your breathing. The more you practice yoga, the more your parasympathetic nervous system is stimulated and can help you feel relaxed.
Excessive levels of cortisol can disrupt your sleep — and not getting enough sleep can easily cause more stress.
Stress can really take a toll on your mental health and your sleep. One of the best ways to overcome those sleepless nights is to begin practicing yoga regularly.
Exposing yourself to negative energy is inevitable.
Whether you’re an empath who can’t stop thinking about how you can better help others; or you’re surrounded by negative situations — shouting at your partner, being snapped at by a coworker, crying toddlers all day, you name it.
When you don’t know how to deal with or clear that negative energy from your body, it can have a significant impact on your well-being, affecting everything from your mood, mental clarity, and sleep.
Moving your body and stretching your joints can help you clear any of the toxic energy that your body is holding onto. One of the best ways to do this is through yoga.
When practiced regularly, and correctly, yoga can help you release negative emotional energy and physical tension from your body.
• Muscles • Brain; and • Sleep
Releasing the blockages through yoga can help to ease the mind and allow for a deeper sleep.
Energy clearing gives your body the ability to relax and renew by letting go of all the pent-up emotions, stress, and thoughts before bed, and letting your body re-energize in a positive way with a quality night’s sleep — one that you may not have realized you needed.
Yoga incorporates dynamic moves and stretches that increase and enhance your range of motion and circulate blood and oxygen throughout the body, delivering nutrients to all your different tissues — allowing your muscles to relax.
Activities that combine deep breathing and stretching, like yoga, not only reduce stress and inflammation throughout the body but help lubricate your joints and reduce tension in your muscles.
Pain and sleep are intrinsically linked — your muscles are tight, you’re in pain and can’t sleep, and the next night you’re in even more pain because you still can’t sleep; it’s a vicious cycle.
One of the best ways to relax your muscles before heading to bed is to practice yoga. During your yoga session, focus on the different areas of your body — intentionally recognizing how each part feels and focusing on relaxing the different muscles.
When you’re able to let go of the day’s stress and tension throughout your body, you may find that you fall asleep easier and stay asleep.
• Reducing stress levels • Decreasing muscle aches; and • Ridding the body of negative energy
… practicing yoga regularly can also help you lose weight.
• Making more mindful decisions about your food choices • Building muscle • Burning calories • Improving metabolism • Decreasing stress-hormone levels
• Decreasing the odds of getting sleep apnea • A healthier cardiovascular system • Improves blood sugar control • Reduced back pain • Alleviating acid reflux • Providing mental clarity
Those practicing yoga in an attempt to improve sleep sometimes may see an improvement in both the quality of their sleep and the duration of a night’s sleep as early as even the same night that they participate in their first class. Most others may begin to see consistent results after attending class consistently for around 6 to 12 weeks.
• The quality of sleep prior to starting yoga classes • Your commitment to healthy lifestyle habits — ie: eating before bed, drinking caffeine late at night, etc. • How often you attend class • Amount of stress or tension in your body
Like every healthy habit, consistency is key in maintaining a restful night’s sleep by practicing yoga.
It is not unusual to hear from someone who practices yoga with Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi that they have seen results after a matter of months of consistently attending yoga classes.
Begin your journey to a better night’s sleep with Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi methods and let go of the toxic energy, emotions, and stress that has been leaving you restless.
• Let go of negative energy throughout your body • Relax your body and your brain • Intentionally practice mindfulness • Regularly get a good night's sleep
… through the practice of yoga.
Say goodbye to the days of tossing and turning, wishing you could get just one night of quality sleep. Taking yoga classes with Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi instructors, you’re on your way to better sleep and better quality of life.
The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new exercise, relaxation, or sleep routine.