We’ve had some discussions regarding “The Science Behind a Good Night’s Sleep” and the “Power of Sleep.” However, I’m curious—what steps do you take to provide your body with enough rest on a daily basis?
Do you employ power naps during the day? How about meditation? Have you tried it? Did you know that deep breathing can not only help relax your nervous system, but also oxygenates your brain more, which leads to the ability to focus better for extended periods of time (more at: Deep Breathing Benefits and How-To | Right as Rain)?
Personally, I tend to sleep more than most people (around 9 hours a day) in order to feel rested. The exception is when I’m in nature, outside the city.
To feel rested on a daily basis, I maintain a normalized sleep pattern. My body usually feels tired around 10:00 pm every day. I typically go to sleep at that time and wake up around 7:00 - 7:30 without an alarm on most days. In my opinion, this is one of the best practices you can implement to fall asleep without spending long hours in bed.
I also pay attention to a few other factors. I make sure to have the right kind of light at night (orange spectrum), and I try to avoid spending time in front of screens before going to sleep. Taking an occasional walk in the park tends to do go a long way when it comes to sleeping better, or so I have noticed.
I do indulge in the occasional power nap every now and then. However, it’s important not to become overly reliant on these, as they can disrupt your sleep pattern, making it difficult to fall asleep at your desired time later at night.
Regarding meditation, this is one of those things I’ve been practicing on and off for a while. Generally, I believe that practicing it regularly tends to lead to a calmer approach towards situations that arise in your life—you don’t stress as much.
How about your own experiences? Have you tried any of the above or something else perhaps?
