Think back recently to a day when you felt well-rested. Things probably flowed easily and you felt pretty good, didn’t you?
Now think back to the last time you were over-tired. Maybe you felt more impatient than normal, or foggy, or withdrawn. Were you dragging yourself around the whole day?
There’s no doubt that feeling relaxed makes everything easier. That’s why it’s important to take rest, not just once in a while, but on a regular basis.
Early to rise, early to bed
When you’re low on energy, one of the first things to ask yourself is what time am I getting to bed at night? Am I in tune with what my body needs? Paying attention to the earth’s natural cycles is grounding and restful not just for our bodies but for our minds too. In keeping with nature, it makes sense to rise as the sun rises. Everyone has a time that feels best, but in general, try waking by at least 6am. As far as sleep goes, being asleep by 10pm is highly recommended since we usually get a second wind between 10pm and midnight.
Supplement sleep with Yoga Nidra
When your energy is spent, restoring it requires a gentle and systematic approach. For many, getting a full night’s sleep isn’t easy. Practicing guided relaxation techniques like Yoga Nidra allows the body and mind to enter into a deep state of relaxation. It gives our nervous systems a chance to re-energize and a safe place to rest. Practice Yoga Nidra regularly whenever you have time. Sessions can be shorter or longer, depending on how much time you have.
Begin and end the day with meditation
Practicing meditation sets a positive tone in our lives and helps us stay focused, happy, and satisfied within. Meditation techniques like my free Guided 10 Minute Meditation are easy to follow and allow you to take short breaks to take your mind off whatever problems you might be having and rest your mind and body.
Take a warm bath
Especially during the colder months of winter, taking a warm bath when you’re feeling exhausted can sometimes help you restore lost energy, especially when you can limit the amount of stimulation you are experiencing. This is easy enough to do by simply turning off the lights so that your eyes can relax, putting on relaxing music to unwind to, and allowing yourself enough time so that you don’t worry about having to rush out of the tub. It’s also important to note that before and after bathing you should drink plenty of water since dehydration is a major cause of exhaustion.
