William Shakespeare penned the immortal line 'to sleep, perchance to dream'. In today's society, this line seems to take on new meaning. Many people have insomnia, and many take medication just to get to sleep. Without sleep, your body cannot replenish and renew. In honor of the release of my new novel, 'Dreams of the Many', and with a nod to my holistic bodywork background, I am pleased to present 10 Simple Tips to help you sleep.
1. Remove the TV from your bedroom. Persistent sound and light will decrease the quality of your sleep and can prevent you from falling asleep. Do NOT sleep with the TV on!
2. Consider Guided Imagery CDs which are scripted to pattern your brain and enable healthy sleep. After several weeks, you may not even need to listen to the CD to get to sleep.
3. Use lavender essential oil, an eye pillow that contains lavender leaves or spikenard essential oil. The smell of lavender is relaxing and will help you to turn off your mind and get the sleep you need. Spikenard doesn’t smell as comforting but it sure does the trick!
4. Take a melatonin or valerian supplement to boost and balance your body and brain.
5. Bathe with chamomile or lavender essential oil.
6. Replace your mattress and pillow at least once every eight years. Poor mattress and pillow support can hamper your sleep.
7. Take a brisk walk for 30 minutes, 3 times per week. This will help to regulate your system and improve your sleep/waking balance, AND it will improve your physical health.
8. Do not eat a large meal in the late evening. Do not eat SUGAR in the late evening.
9. Learn to meditate! Meditation provides critical exercise for your brain and conditions your brain to more easily enter a relaxed state.
10. Learn and practice deep, diaphragmatic breathing. Long, slow, deep breaths and full exhalation help to oxygenate and relax your body.
It’s just that simple! Now, go forth and dream!
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