6 Bedtime Rituals for Better Sleep

By Shannon Sexton, Yoga International

We are a sleep-starved nation. About 60 million Americans suffer from insomnia, and according to the National Sleep Foundation, nearly seven out of ten report frequent sleeping problems–although most remain undiagnosed.

Alarmed? You should be. As Stanford University “sleepdebt” expert William C. Dement, MD, PhD, warns: “Lost sleep accumulates as a debt that must be repaid or health eventually deteriorates.” This year, the Institute of Medicine released a report linking sleep disorders and sleep deprivation to a host of ills, including an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, and stroke.

Scientists are confirming what yogis and ayurvedic physicians have reported for centuries: deep sleep rests the body and the mind. Our daily dose of shut-eye regulates our weight, strengthens our immunity, protects our cardiovascular health, repairs our tissues and cells, and restores our energy. Sleep also allows us to process, consolidate, and retain new memories; it balances our emotions, makes us better problem solvers, and feeds our creativity.

Try these simple 6 bedtime rituals from yoga and ayurveda to help you relax, sleep better, and ultimately, live better.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Samantha H.

2:45PM PST on Jan 27, 2012

thanks

send a green star

Green B.

8:19PM PST on Jan 25, 2012

Sounds so delightful. All but yoga since it is a morning treat for me. Thank you.

Santanita G.

2:51PM PST on Jan 5, 2012

thanks for the info

peggy p.

8:20AM PST on Dec 29, 2011

thanks for this info! going to implement several of the tips

Loesje v.

7:08PM PDT on Sep 19, 2011

Interesting. I will try yoga for better sleep.

Diane S.

5:29AM PDT on Jun 14, 2011

Good common sense.

Past Member .

10:57PM PDT on Jun 12, 2011

Thanks :)

Abbe A.

10:28PM PDT on Jun 12, 2011

Sleep apnea is widely underdiagnosed. It's possible to do all the things in this article and still not have a restorative sleep. I've been able to fall asleep at the drop of a hat, so I never thought I had a sleep problem. But I have sleep apnea, and now use a machine that allows me to sleep through the night and wake up refreshed.

Vicki P.

6:24PM PDT on Jun 12, 2011

Thank-you for the tips!

Krista R.

6:20PM PDT on Jun 12, 2011

Thanks. Namaste :-)