How well we sleep impacts our work.
How well we sleep impacts our relationships.
So how can YOGA help? Let’s explore a little of the neuroscience…
We all know that sleep is critical for maintaining optimal cognitive function, physical health, and emotional wellbeing.
The neuroscience of yoga and sleep is an emerging, but exciting area of research putting hard data behind that wonderful sensation of clarity and calm anyone who’s ever done a yoga class will be familiar with. It can support us in every part of our day. But for now, I’ll focus on how it helps us get a little more shut-eye. Let’s reverse engineer the process and consider the benefits we enjoy when we rest well.
Sleeping well allows us to better absorb information and stay alert.
Better creativityA good night’s sleep makes it easier to come up with new ideas and solutions to problems.
Better decision-makingWe can more readily analyse situations, consider options and make rational choices.
A rested brain makes better decisions.
Better energy and stamina
Getting enough rest helps us feel more energised, alert, and productive. It becomes easier to feel motivated.
Better memory
Sleep is essential for consolidating memories. We can more easily retain and recall information.
So how can YOGA help? It reduces many of the most common roadblocks to sleep, like:
- An ‘always on’, busy mind
- Anxious or worrying thoughts
- Insufficient melatonin production
- Muscle tightness and stiffness
- Poor breathing
- High levels of the stress hormone, cortisol
Yoga’s effect on brain chemistry
Yoga boosts production of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that helps regulate brain activity and promote relaxation. This increase in GABA levels can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Yoga has also been shown to increase the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. This can help improve sleep quality and promote a more restful state.
Some yoga poses, such as forward folds and gentle twists, can help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s “rest and digest” response.
There’s a whole lot more to the neuroscience story, of course. But for now, I hope this article encourages you to try yoga to support your wellbeing and a better night’s rest. 😴
Looking for more? Meditation can also help you fall asleep more easily. Here’s how to get started.
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