4 Natural Ways to Deal with Insomnia

 Are you having difficulty falling asleep? Do you wake up feeling tired and groggy? Perhaps you’ve noticed that your ability to function effectively is diminished or that you’re feeling irritable a lot of the time. You may be suffering from insomnia. Short-term or transient insomnia is quite common and usually resolves by itself. However, insomnia is considered chronic if it persists beyond a few weeks.

Insomnia, both transient and chronic, can be dealt with meditation.

There is an abundance of evidence that regular meditation can improve sleep patterns, often dramatically. Research indicates that an overly aroused sympathetic nervous system is an important causative factor in chronic insomnia. It states that practices that can reduce nervous system arousal, such as meditation, can be very effective in relieving insomnia.

Our nervous system is usually excessively aroused by several factors. They include stress, tension, overindulgence in stimulants such as tea and coffee, use of drugs, habits like going to bed late, insufficient rest, too much stimulation through TV or computer, and indulgence in dietary habits that don’t suit our constitution. However, generally, insomnia results from mental and emotional stress. Meditation is particularly helpful because it directly relieves the body and mind from stress.

However, these practices are not intended as band-aid solutions for insomnia or any other problem. For insomnia treatment, we recommend undertaking self-study to identify the factors that are the cause of the problem. While you may not be able to change external situations in your life, you can definitely change your reaction to the stress factors. You can also undertake the following tips to deal with insomnia.

1. Practice Sahaj Samadhi meditation

 

Sahaj Samadhi Meditation is an effortless practice using a primordial sound or mantra. This technique leads to deep states of relaxation and is a wonderful antidote to stress, tension, fatigue, and negative emotional states.

If done for 20 minutes twice a day, morning and afternoon or early evening, it balances the nervous system and provides deeper rest than deep sleep. It is during these periods of deep rest that the body and mind are able to heal itself and reverse the physiological, biochemical, and emotional impact of stress.

If you have not learned it yet, you could find a Sahaj Samadhi Meditation program at an Art of Living center near you.

2. Turn on a guided meditation

 

Guided meditations can also greatly help in relieving insomnia. Guided meditation CDs are available at The Art of Living Divine Shops. These include Shanti Meditation, Panchakosha Meditation, Om Meditation, and Hari Om Meditation.

You could also do a guided meditation online.

3. Yogic sleep is the way to sound sleep 

 

Yogic sleep (also called as yoga nidra), where we systematically take our awareness to different parts of the body while lying down, is also a great boon to insomnia sufferers. It is particularly helpful if you do it just before sleep. A yoga nidra practice guided by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is available and highly recommended.