Sleep is essential.

Sleep is compromised, undervalued, and pushed back.

Both these statements are equally true. So, how do we reconcile the conflict of these two statements? What can we do to remedy the deficit of this critical function that singlehandedly governs immunity, mental focus, emotional balance, discernment, and every single bodily function? Sleep Smarter!

1. Fix Your Gut>> 95% of the body’s serotonin is in the gut. Serotonin is the building block for the “have-a-good-night” hormone, melatonin. Build your digestion hygiene after evening meals by taking a stroll under the moonlight, practicing samana mudra, or try this simple pickle can be a great start. Choose one of these three easy options!
2. Create a Sleep Routine>> This is called ratricharya in Ayurveda. Yes, sleep hygiene is considered an essential component and one of Ayurveda’s three pillars of health. Sipping on a cup of warm-hot water an hour before bed and oiling the foot-soles, navel, ears, and nose could be great start. Also, read Recipe No. 6 and Recipe No. 11 from SOMA: 100 Heritage Recipes for Self-Care.
3. Black Out Your Sleep Sanctuary>> Take away the blue screens (TV, iPad, phone, laptop… you get the idea), cover the unnatural light from the electronic devices in the bedroom and hang up those blackout curtains! We sleep better in a dark environment—this is a fact! Our body gets the signal to produce melatonin and kickstart the sleep mechanism when it senses darkness.
4. Be Cool>> I mean it literally—and figuratively, too! Lower the temperature to anywhere from 60° to 68°F and snuggle up! When it’s time for the body to rest, there is an automatic drop in your core body temperature to help initiate sleep. A high temperature can be a bit of physiological challenge to get to the ideal resting state.
5. Calm the Mental Chatter>> There is nothing wrong with having a lot of thoughts, it is a part of being human. But training your brain to become quiet is also essential. A few minutes of meditation or a guided relaxation can be excellent tools that act as a mental tonic to train the brain!

What does shavasana have to do with sleep? What are the different types of rest? Why is this overlooked asana one of the most important to include in our practice?

What kind of sleep do you experience at night? Want to learn more about sleep hygiene, Shavasana as a portal to rest, and brain on shavasana?

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