5 ways yoga secretly improves your sleep
What's the story
Yoga is synonymous with flexibility and relaxation, but its benefits go way beyond that.
Most of us are oblivious of how yoga can actually make a huge difference to the quality of sleep.
With the inclusion of certain poses and breathing techniques, you can enjoy a peaceful night's sleep.
Here are 5 unexpected ways yoga can improve your sleep routine.
Stress reduction
Reduces stress levels
Yoga reduces stress levels by inducing relaxation through deep breathing and meditation techniques.
These practices trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms the body.
With reduced stress, it becomes easier to fall asleep and stay asleep at night.
Regular yoga practice has been proven to reduce cortisol levels, which are usually raised due to stress.
Breathing improvement
Enhances breathing patterns
Practicing yoga improves breathing patterns by teaching controlled and mindful breathing techniques.
Not only does this increase your lung capacity but also promotes relaxation before bedtime.
Techniques such as pranayama help in regulating breath, leading to a calmer mind and body.
Improved breathing patterns contribute to reduced anxiety levels, making it easier to drift into a peaceful sleep.
Hormonal balance
Balances hormones naturally
Yoga helps in balancing hormones naturally by stimulating the endocrine system through poses and stretches.
This balance is important for maintaining regular sleep cycles as hormones like melatonin regulate sleep-wake patterns.
Regular yoga practice supports hormonal health, making sure that the body's natural rhythms align with restful sleep.
Physical relief
Alleviates physical discomforts
Many of us suffer from physical discomforts, like back pain or muscle tension, that keep us awake at night.
Yoga provides gentle stretching exercises that relieve you of these discomforts by enhancing flexibility and strength in your muscles and joints.
By tackling physical issues with mindful poses, you can sleep undisturbed, without being woken up by aches or pains.
Mindfulness practice
Promotes mindfulness before bedtime
Incorporating mindfulness practices from yoga before bedtime promotes mental clarity and present moment focus.
This way, you won't have racing thoughts about past or future events, and you'll fall asleep quicker and enjoy an uninterrupted rest.
Regular mindfulness activities, like meditation, improve the quality of your sleep as they relieve anxiety-driven thoughts and worries from daily life, resulting in a peaceful evening rest.