8 Rituals for A Restful and Rejuvenating Sleep

Your body need good quality sleep, that is when it repairs itself, rests, rejuvenate, energizes and heals. 

According to many studies, more that 30% of the population suffers from insomnia, women are twice as likely to suffer from insomnia than men and there are countless studies that show the connection between lack of sleep and weight issues. 

So what can you do when you toss and turn and can’t get a shut eye? 

First, I would recommend that you go see your doctor, difficulty sleeping can be a sign of other health conditions. My sleep patterns drastically changed when I started menopause which contributed to adrenal fatigue and more sleep disruption. I was able to resolve those issues with herbal supplements, dietary and life-style changes and sleep time rituals. 

The worse thing you can do when you can’t fall asleep is to stress about it, it will only drive sleep further away. Get up and follow one of these rituals, some of them will work like magic, some will take some time and others might not work for you, experiment and see which ones will be helpful. It will usually take a combination of a few rituals to make a lasting change. 

Tea-Time 

Chamomile tea is very relaxing and helps your body and mind drift into sleep. Have a couple of double strength (2 teabags) chamomile teas, one in the evening and another shortly before bedtime. It is best to avoid caffeine if you suffer from lack of sleep or at least to minimize it and only drink it in the morning. 

Lavender Foot Soak 

This ritual always puts me to sleep, fast! Lavender is another herb that helps to induce sleep. Use it in an oil diffuser, dilute it with water and spray it on your sheets and pillow or dab a drop or two behind your ears and on your wrist before sleep. A hot foot soak helps to draw the energy from your head to your feet, helping you feel more relaxed and less stressed. Fill up a tub with (pleasantly) hot water, add a few drops of lavender essential oil and soak your feet for 5 minutes before going to sleep. Dry and keep warm by wearing socks. 

Read A Book 

Being in front of a screen up until you go to sleep is one of the biggest reasons so many people are suffering from insomnia nowadays. Go on a media diet for at least 2 hours before sleep. Don’t watch violent and stressful shows at night. Read pleasant, relaxing and nourishing books before sleep. A reading ritual in bed helps you leave your day behind and engage in a nourishing activity that will lull you to sleep. 

Eat A Light Dinner 

In Israel, where I grew up, in Europe and in many other parts of the world, lunch is the big hot meal and dinner is a lighter fare. If you are used to eating your biggest meal in the evening, switch it up. Have a smaller, lighter and earlier dinner. When you go to sleep while still digesting a heavy meal, it will keep you up and will disturb your sleep patterns. Many women find that eating grains for dinner will also interfere with sleep because grains are energizing so experiment with eating grains earlier in the day and see if that works better.  

Hot Water Bottle 

You know those drugstore hot water bottles, yes those red rubber ones, well you can find them now in any color, shape and size and many of them come with very cute covers. A hot water bottle, placed on your tummy at bed time is like giving yourself a warm loving hug, it relaxed your center, it spreads pleasant warmth all over your body and it’s a great sleep aid. 

Color Therapy 

If you are sleeping in a room that is brightly painted with vibrant colors, if your linen have busy and colorful patterns and if your bedroom curtains are very bright you might be giving your senses a wake up call when they need to wind down. Think soft colors, lavender, powder blue, creamy whites, colors that sooth and calm and help induce sleep. Leave the vibrant colors to your kitchen, living room and home office. Your bedroom is the place you sleep so also avoid making it an “active” room and don’t work or exercise there. I highly recommend not to charge your phones, tablets and laptops next to your bed and look at them right up to sleep time, allow yourself some screen free time before bed. 

Just Right Temperature 

I like to sleep in a cool room, with an open window when it’s nice out, with the AC on when it’s sweltering. If the room is too hot, I don’t sleep well. Finding the right sleep temperature for your body is important so experiment to see which temperature works best for you. Women who are going through menopause might need a cooler room with a light blanket so they can adjust as their body’s temperature fluctuates. 

Yoga For Sleep 

There are many yoga poses that can prepare the body for sleep. I do the ‘legs up the wall’ pose every night in bed and it is very helpful. Yoga Nidra is another great yoga practice that helps you scan your body and mentally relax every part. There are many youtube yoga nidra videos that you can listen to before sleep. 

Remember that these rituals do not work like a sleeping pill and will not knock you out, they are gentle and work with your body’s natural rhythm and healing mechanism. Please practice them, give your body time to react and heal and with time, patience and persistence you will notice better sleep and better health.