I don’t know about you but if I get little to no sleep at night, my whole day is shot. Getting a good night’s sleep not only makes you feel rested but also helps your body recover from the day. It also helps reduce stress. Many people struggle to get enough sleep though, so what can we do to solve that? If you are desperate for a night of solid sleep, having a nightly yoga routine could help you catch some more zzz’s. Grab your favorite pair of black leggings or pajamas and get ready for bed; here are several poses that will help you settle your mind and relax.
Child’s Pose: Child’s Pose is a classic resting yoga pose. To perform, start in a table top position then spread your knees wide while keeping your toes together. Bow your torso forward between your legs and let your forehead touch the ground. Rest your arms alongside your legs or extended forward. Child’s Pose helps to calm the brain which is what you want when trying to sleep!
Wide-Legged Forward Bend C: Wide-Legged Forward Bend C has a variety of calming effects, which make it a great pose to do before bedtime. This pose has benefits of both inversion poses and forward folds. It calms the mind and gives relief from stress, anxiety, and mild depression. Perform this pose by standing with your feet 3-4 feet apart on your mat, your heels should be slightly wider than your toes. Clasp your hands behind your back in a fist. Fold your torso forward at the hips, move your head and hands towards the ground.
Nighttime Goddess Stretch: Nighttime Goddess Stretch is a relaxing pose you can even do in bed! It is performed by laying on your back either on the floor or on your bed. Move the soles of your feet together and let your knees fall outward. Lastly place both arms at a 45-degree angle on either side of your body and close your eyes. You can hold the pose for 3-5 minutes and allow your mind to relax and unwind from the day.
Legs up the Wall: Legs up the Wall pose helps to relieve lower back pain and instills a sense of calmness in your body. This pose is simple to perform, just lay on the ground in front of a wall and lift your legs up against the wall. Be sure to rest your bottom against the wall to get the proper stretch for your body.
These poses will help instill a calmness and rest in your brain so that you can get a better night’s sleep. I find when I do these stretches before bed, I get a great night’s sleep. I wake up way more rested and equipped to handle the daily stresses of life. My daily cup of coffee isn’t completely out of the picture but I have an extra boost in the morning when I take time at night to do some yoga! I hope that these poses help you to get a better night’s sleep!
