Sleep Tips: Breathe Your Way to Sleep and Other Suggestions for Slumber

As The Sleep Ambassador™ (www.thesleepambassador.com), I am exposed to a wide array of sleep solutions. However, sometimes the simplest methods are the most effective. One caveat: If you have symptoms which might suggest a sleep disorder, be sure to check with your physician to determine if a sleep study or other evaluation is necessary. So, without a long dissertation about how to fall asleep, I have a few tips which can be very effective for easing into slumber:
Breathing- You are breathing anyway, so put your ATTENTION on the flow of the breath IN and the breath OUT. Don’t force the flow, just let it be natural. If you are really doing this and are focused on your breath, you will begin to relax. As a next step, be AWARE of the SPACE BETWEEN the breath in and the breath out. Don’t hold your breath, just be aware that the space exists. This as PRESENT as you can be and will help to settle your senses as you drift off to sleep. Bye the way, this technique is helpful in stressful situations as well.
Child’s Pose- I have found that getting into the yoga position known as “child’s pose” on top of my linens before getting under the covers is VERY calming and soothing before going to sleep. How long? A few moments or whatever feels good. When I do this, I can feel my whole body…and mind….begin to settle.

So, start simple and see what happens. The last thing we all need before bed is another complicated routine! And speaking of routines, there is a wealth of information on sleep tips (aka sleep hygiene) on various web sites.