Insomnia and other sleep-related problems can be a nuisance when it goes on and on. And for many people, remedies come in the form of alcohol, marijuana, medication and so on; all external solutions, but there are solutions inside our very souls, as it turns out.
One among six people suffers from insomnia and other sleep-related issues according to several studies. Many people might have sleep problems that aren’t insomnia.
Their symptoms would generally be erratic sleep, nightmares, light sleep, etc. This could be caused by a lot of factors like stress, burnout, over-thinking, unusual sleep cycle, etc. But this is not necessarily a chronic condition. These symptoms can be treated by following a proper routine to promote sleep.
Insomnia, on the other hand, is something more concerning. A person suffering from insomnia might fail to sleep for days, weeks or even months. This is bound to affect your health and day-to-day work.
Whichever it is that you are going through, insomnia or other sleep problems, meditation is known to help remedy the problem. And there are no known problems that come with meditation, so you could certainly give it a go!
Not all meditation ‘religious’
Meditation is an exercise that helps you focus and relax. It involves shutting down your five senses and turning your focus and attention into one. The best way to achieve this is by taking long, deep breaths and focusing on just you’re breathing. There are three types of meditation that are known to help with sleep problems. Keep the following things in mind when you meditate –
- When you are meditating, make sure the place you choose is calm and quiet.
- Absence of light and sound will help you focus.
- Research also shows that meditation should be done in a slightly colder temperature.
- The best way to a successful meditation is by trying to not think of anything. Your problems, your work, chores, etc. This is the part that is difficult to achieve. The trick is to take small steps. Try not thinking for a minute and then turn that into two minutes and them more.
Our day-to-day worries are what ails us when we are about to go to bed. Meditation will help you overcome that. There is another kind of meditation that involves a complete relaxation technique that is known to detoxify your body, mind and soul.
Beginners’ guide to meditation
The most important part of meditation is to keep yourself calm, and everyone is capable is this. You can try using a comfortable couch or a pillow to meditate. You can also try drinking herbal tea before you meditate. Tea helps you calm your nerves. Here, we share a few other effective tips for you –
- Close your eyes.
- Do not breathe too hard or force your breathing.
- Let it be natural and while you breathe, focus your attention to it and nothing else.
- Chances are your mind will get distracted from time to time. This is a very natural process of learning how to meditate. Each time you lose your focus, try bringing it back.
- Keep a timing of two to three minutes if you are a beginner. Once you get the hang of it and once you realize its effect, you can increase the time as you see fit.