Difference between revisions of "Calm Your Imagination Before Sleep"
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#Breathe out of your left nostril. Breathing out of only your left nostril is supposed to help relax your sympathetic nervous system.<ref name="rf17098">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8063359</ref> This can calm your mind and imagination and help you fall asleep. | #Breathe out of your left nostril. Breathing out of only your left nostril is supposed to help relax your sympathetic nervous system.<ref name="rf17098">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8063359</ref> This can calm your mind and imagination and help you fall asleep. | ||
#*Close your right nostril with the thumb of your right hand. Breathe in slowly and deeply through your left nostril. Hold, then exhale. Repeat, letting the tension release from your body as you calm your mind.<ref name="rf17099">http://www.grdhealth.com/yogameditation/leftnostril.php</ref> | #*Close your right nostril with the thumb of your right hand. Breathe in slowly and deeply through your left nostril. Hold, then exhale. Repeat, letting the tension release from your body as you calm your mind.<ref name="rf17099">http://www.grdhealth.com/yogameditation/leftnostril.php</ref> | ||
| − | #Read. Engaging in a calming activity, like reading, before bed can help the body start to relax as it prepares for sleep.<ref name="rf13289" /> Since you don't want to stimulate your imagination too much, make sure to read a book that won't get your adrenaline or mind racing. Try something fun and soothing, or something you have read before. | + | #Read. Engaging in a calming activity, like reading, before bed can help the body start to relax as it prepares for sleep.<ref name="rf13289">http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/getting/overcoming/tips</ref> Since you don't want to stimulate your imagination too much, make sure to read a book that won't get your adrenaline or mind racing. Try something fun and soothing, or something you have read before. |
#Meditate. Take up [[Meditate|meditation]]. Try meditation before you go to sleep. Meditation calms the mind, and some types of meditation teach you how to clear your mind completely. Try these tricks when you're starting: | #Meditate. Take up [[Meditate|meditation]]. Try meditation before you go to sleep. Meditation calms the mind, and some types of meditation teach you how to clear your mind completely. Try these tricks when you're starting: | ||
#*Concentrate on each breath you take. Breathe slowly and enjoy each breath. Concentrate on how good it feels to be able to breathe. When you slow your breathing, this tends to slow your heart rate as well, which ultimately calms you down. | #*Concentrate on each breath you take. Breathe slowly and enjoy each breath. Concentrate on how good it feels to be able to breathe. When you slow your breathing, this tends to slow your heart rate as well, which ultimately calms you down. | ||
