Sleep & Tonic herbalism work hand in hand
When you can truly surrender to the yin that is sleep you fall into energetic sync with the night and can start cultivating the healing energy that is Yin Jing. These are our top 10 tips to get a restful and restorative sleep.
1. Get your natural light on first thing in the morning! We know that increasing exposure to bright natural light during the day, positively effects your circadian rhythm and increases sleep efficiency. A successful start leads to a successful sleep.
2. If you are feeling low, slow, generally unhappy, anxious and lethargic, your Shen reservoir might need some filling up. The queen reishi, is a strong Shen herb combined with heart led meditation that brings forth our insight and wisdom.
3. Sleep hygiene practices are cool. Seriously! Don’t be ashamed to say ‘no’ sometimes to that dinner date, work catch up or late night movie binge. Be proud to be putting your health first :)
4. If you are struggling with an overall exhaustion and an accumulative lack of sleep jing herbs have been used for millennia and can help restore your physical foundations for sleep
5. Reduce your blue screen time in the lead up to bed time. This is so relevant to the current landscape. It has been shown that over exposure to blue light effects our circadian rhythm and has detrimental health effects. Ideally cut all time in front of blue light screens (we’re talking mobile phones, computer, tablets, TV’s) two hours prior to sleep.
6. Create a mindful, slowing down night-time ritual and connect into Yin moments. Yin yoga and your favourite bedtime down regulating tonic is the best combo. Ever.
7. Try not to eat too late in the evening, this can affect your sleep-wake cycle and hormones. We love complex carbs for dinner (they can help you feel satiated and provide fuel for the brain while you sleep), but allowing a 3-4 hour window after dinner, before you go to bed, is ideal.
8. Investigate herbal nervines, which can help soothe and invoke sleep, think valerian and freshly grated nutmeg, chamomile & Ashwagandha.
9. Get a dream journal and write down your dreams. Spend time to reflect on these and what this means for you.