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Sleep is God.
Lack of sleep makes us groggy. And forgetful. And crabby.
It affects our productivity at work. And our capacity to love at home.
But worst of all, its exhausting to be in a state of sleep deprivation!
Lack of good quantity and quality of sleep is a pre-cursor to a host of physical and psychological ailments. Ensuring you get a good night’s rest is one of the biggest contributions to preventive health that you can make.
According to Ayurveda, the time between 10PM and 2AM is when the liver gets to work and begins its detox cycle to prepare the body for the next day. This is a critical function to maintain health and equilibrium. If these toxins are not released from the body by the morning, then they will remain in the system and circulate.
Here are some ways to wind down every night and ensure deep, blissful sleep:
- Sip relaxing herbal teas
Certain herbals teas such as chamomile, peppermint and sage enter our nervous system and relax us from the inside out, helping us drift into sleep more easily. - Turn off those electronics
Yes we love our TVs, smartphones and laptops, but bright lights signal the brain to stay stimulated and alert. Create a deadline to turn these off every night. Your eyes will thank you for it! - Take a warm bath or shower
Taking a shower at the end of the day allows us to literally wash away the day’s worries as well as clean out all negative, draining elements. End your bath with a gentle massage with an oil and you will find yourself slipping into blissful sleep more easily. - Create a soothing ambiance
Replace the day’s chaos and chatter with some soft, calming rituals. Play relaxing music, dim the lights in your room, make it dark and cool etc. Preparing for your night should be as important as preparing for your day.