Sleep is very important.
In fact, “The CDC defines not enough sleep as anything less than seven hours over a 24 hour period. Experts say that teenagers need even more, eight to nine hours of shut-eye a night.”
A lack of sleep has been linked to illnesses like Alzheimers, Heart Disease and Diabetes and has even been found to impact mental health. On the flip side, getting a good night's sleep can support a healthy immune system, prevent unwanted weight gain and enhance brain function. Nevertheless, getting this much needed shut eye is not always simple. The good news is however, that it can be. Here’s a simple five minute sensory exercise to perform right before bedtime to help you unwind and get the rest your body needs. Turn out the lights. Turn off your devices. Turn on your senses. Lying on your back in a comfortable position. Begin to tune in to your normal breath. Inhale. Exhale.
Minute 1
Simply begin by lying with all of your senses. See with your eyes. Taste with your tastebuds. Listen with your ears. Feel with your skin. Smell with your nose. Do not judge the things that all of your senses take in from your outside world. Just let it be what it is.
Minute 2
Hold onto four of your senses but close your eyes and let go of the sense of sight. Taste with your tastebuds. Listen with your ears. Feel with your skin. Smell with your nose. Do not judge the things that your four senses take in from your outside world. Just let it be what it is.
Minute 3
Hold onto three of your senses but turn down your taste and let go of the sense of taste. Listen with your ears. Feel with your skin. Smell with your nose. Do not judge the things that your three senses take in from your outside world. Just let it be what it is.
Minute 4
Hold onto two of your senses but dial down the noise with your ears and let go of the sense of sound. Feel with your skin. Smell with your nose. Do not judge the things that your two senses take in from your outside world. Just let it be what it is.
Minute 5
Hold onto one of your senses but melt into your bed and let go of the sense of touch. Smell with your nose. Do not judge the things that your sense takes in from your outside world. Just let it be what it is.
MINUTE 6
Relax. Turn off your sense of smell and simply breathe your normal breaths. Just let go.
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– Casey Edmonds, CHC
Health Advisor | Email Casey
