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Tips to getting the Restful Sleep You Need

It is no secret that getting a good night’s sleep is important to your mind and body. It helps regulate your moods, keep your weight in a healthy range, and helps keep you immune system in check. You know the feeling when you do not get what you need; you are tired, groggy, a little slow, and probably somewhat cranky. This is your body’s natural response to not getting what it needs. It is important that you make time for enough sleep, and make sure you get a good, quality sleep with the time you do have.

Get Enough of It

Life is busy, and sometimes getting a solid eight hours just does not happen. Let’s be honest, eight hours of sleep a day is hard to do when you have a busy life with all these other responsibilities. You will find that prioritizing sleep is going to make the rest of your life easier and more productive. When you are not getting the sleep you need, your body is not going to function as well as it could be. Distractions are going to take up more time, and you will not be handling stress in the best way. This is not a short coming on you, it is just what happens when you restrict your sleep.

Make the Most of Your Sleep

It is one thing to schedule out eight hours of sleep, and another thing entirely to actually sleep during that time. You have probably been in this scenario before; you tell yourself you are going to sleep at 10 PM and get up at 6 AM, which is an eight hour window. Great, but then 10 PM rolls around and you just cannot go to sleep. This makes getting eight hours a little more than just a planning thing. There are some important steps that you can take to make your sleep actually happen.

The blue light emitted from your phone, computer, and tablet can disrupt your natural sleep patterns, and turning them off an hour before bed can help lower that. Make sure that you get some activity in the day can also improve your sleep habits, and meditation or other mindfulness techniques can also help you sleep better. Yoga is a great way to get some exercise and practice mindfulness. The reduction in stress and increase in physical activity both help you improve your sleep.

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While it may seem a little counterintuitive, making sure that you get plenty of sleep can help you get more done. Productivity is so closely tied to being well rested, and that increase in efficiency can be seen almost right away. However, it does not matter how much time you say you will sleep for, if you cannot get your mind to be quiet and let you sleep. Ensuring that you have habits that improve sleep is going to be extremely helpful in keeping you well rested. Yoga is a great activity to in regards to sleep, and it does a lot to help your body out in other ways too. Set eight hours, and be mindful of your habits; these are going to lead to a well-rested you.

 

Creative Ways to Repurpose Your Yoga Mat

One of the lessons that we are constantly developing as yogis is our ability to “let go.” This phrase becomes significant in many ways, including our willingness to accept physical change. While it is common for yogis to develop a bond with their yoga mat, it is also healthy—spiritually, mentally and physically – to replace a worn-out mat with a fresh one. This doesn’t mean, however, that the old mat needs to get trashed. Here are a few ways you can give new purpose to an old mat.

1. Gift it. The first possibly most immediate idea is to pass your yoga mat on to another person in need of a mat. Perhaps someone has expressed an interest in yoga but doesn’t know where to begin. Or maybe a friend is interested in tagging along with you to a class, but she doesn’t have a mat. A yoga instructor who is trying to open her own studio may appreciate an additional mat to add to her studio resources. If your mat is used to the point that it is no longer safe or hygienic to use, then do not give it as a gift. However, if your mat is well-loved but still very much usable, pass it on to someone else!

2. Take it outdoors. The soft and stable nature of a yoga mat makes it an ideal tool for many outdoor hobbies. Try using it as a place to kneel during the gardening time. Another ideal setting for the yoga mat is to join your camping gear. A yoga mat can provide just a little more support for your back when camping in a tent. It can also provide a layer of protection from rough, rocky ground. Also, a mat can be an ideal seat cushion for the sidelines of outdoor sporting events. Place the mat on the bleachers at a baseball or soccer game, and it can both provide cushion and protect you from a wet seat after a brief rain. These are just a few of the outdoor hobbies for which a yoga mat can prove to be very useful.

3. Home life. There are many places around the house that a yoga mat can take on a new purpose. If you have hardwood or tile floors, a yoga mat can be placed under a long rectangular rug in a hallway space to provide both cushion and traction. A mat can also be an ideal layer in a child’s playroom. Or, place it in the dog house to give the watchdog a little more comfort as he naps.

4. Arts and crafts. Don’t be afraid to change the shape of the mat, too. Scissors cut through most mats very easily. Host a craft night with your family or friends and see what sort of funky-shaped picture frames, coasters, or magnets you can come up with using your old yoga mat.

Be creative, and give your old yoga mat a new life!

Some New Yoga Trends to Try In 2018

In this fast-paced world, people tend to become bored with the old and hanker for something new all the time. It is the same with yoga. Of course, the age-old postures and poses are not going to change. After all, each asana carries a specific meaning and purpose. However, it seems possible to make the yoga routine itself more modern, flexible and upbeat.

Laughter Yoga

It appears that the concept of laughter has become outdated in a world filled with stresses and tensions. In such a scenario, Laughter Yoga should serve as a wonderful remedy. The idea is to bring about a wonderful blend of ‘laughing’ exercises and breathing exercises, for overall wellbeing. The brain and the rest of the body receive a greater amount of oxygen. This creates the impression of boundless energy and enthusiastic health.

Surprisingly, just about ten minutes each day is more than enough to ensure that your body, mind, and spirit receive something akin to a splendid cardio workout. The benefits are wonderful. Since you have begun your day with laughter, it follows that you will remain joyous throughout your day. Then again, even one bout of laughter suffices to reduce your physical, emotional and mental stresses effectively. Over time, you will be able to keep your blood-sugar levels and blood pressure under control. Both, your immune and cardiovascular systems function better than before.

Aqua Yoga

Aqua Yoga is quite a rage in India and other nations, due to the numerous benefits that it offers. When you get down into a swimming pool or any water body, your joints no longer have to tolerate the heavy weight of your body. This is because water is buoyant. Therefore, you need not worry about painful joints or any kind of bodily discomfort while exercising.

As your muscles relax in the water, you will be able to stretch them easily without fear of injury. Over time, both, your joints and muscles will improve in strength, endurance, the range of motion and flexibility. Aqua Yoga has proved tremendously beneficial for people suffering from depression, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and sciatica. It is also excellent for recovering from pre-natal or post-natal procedures, knee and/or hip replacement surgeries and other operations. Above all, it restores the physical balance of the body.

Aerial Yoga

You will need a hammock created from high-density nylon, which resembles a lengthy scarf, for this kind of yoga routine. The scarf is linked to straps and supporting chains, in order to ensure that you have a good grip.

Your aerial routine will permit your body to adjust to novel positions and more space, thereby ensuring deeply fulfilling bodily stretches. Then again, you have to be more aware and alert regarding your exercises and surroundings. Thirdly, your core muscles, which are working against gravity, will receive a beautifully strengthening workout each time. Your body begins to balance and stabilize itself better and better.

Finally, the excitement of being in the air and trying something different is bound to reduce stress levels largely.