Blissful Sleep:  7 Tips for Enjoying Blissful Rest Tonight

By Dr. Mawiyah Clayborne, The Bliss Doctor

One of the most blissful experiences is waking up from a good night’s rest, totally refreshed, totally rejuvenated and “ready” to face another day head on!  Your eyes are sparkling, your complexion is radiant, concentration is at its best, energy levels are high, digestion is good, mind is refreshed, and body is rested.  Unfortunately, for over 70% of adults in our country, sleep problems several times a week is a common experience.

Many of us experience difficulty falling asleep, tossing and turning for hours before sleep comes.  Others find that they wake up intermittently throughout the night, and still others find that they awaken during the wee hours of the morning and are not able to get back to sleep.  Doctors use many labels such as insomnia, sleep deprivation and sleep apnea to describe the variety of sleep problems.

Some adults find that they can get by on 5-6 hours of sleep.  Others find that they do best after 9-10 hours of sleep.  How does one determine what is an adequate amount of sleep?  Listen to your body and mind over a given period of time, for example, over two weeks.  Your body will tell you how much sleep you need each night, but you must be willing to listen and observe how your days go over a given time period.

There are several tools that one can use to promote having a good night’s sleep:

1. For those who like to drink a beverage before bedtime, try drinking an herbal tea that promotes sleep.  Another beverage that is excellent for most of us, is milk:  before bed sip some warm milk with a pinch of nutmeg.  This combination produces a natural tranquilizer which is sure to help you unwind before it’s time for bed.
2. Look at your environment:  Is there clutter in your bedroom?  Is it too hot or too cold?  Is the room dark enough to rest your eyes?
3. What about your mind?  Is there useless clutter in your mind?  If so, get rid of it! Just before bedtime is not the most ideal time to have a debate or an argument.  
4. Turn the TV off to allow your mind and emotions the opportunity to focus on activities that are calming and positive before bedtime.
5. Listen to soothing music. 
6. Practice deep breathing.  Deep breathing exercises called pranayama can be helpful in settling and integrating the functioning of the mind and body.
7. The body functions best out of habits.  Therefore, choose a specific bedtime so that your body and mind get in the habit of unwinding when bedtime approaches each and every night.  Bedtime by 10PM has been found to be the time when the deepest quality of rest can be gained in contrast to going to bed later.  Also, the period between 10 pm and 2 AM is considered the purification period, a time when the body may recharge to the maximum.
8. A lower body temperature is a trigger for sleep, so it is best not to exercise vigorously close to bedtime.
9. Ghee (clarified butter) on the soles of feet, covered with socks, is great for soothing your nervous system and settling you down quickly.

Everyone deserves a blissful day everyday!  Get the deep, restful sleep that you deserve, and enjoy!

Direct comments or questions about this article, including requests for reprint rights, to:

Dr. Mawiyah Clayborne

264 La Cienega Blvd. #651
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Phone: 323-937-8783
Mawiyah@rememberyourbliss.com