Let's face it...we are getting into late fall and early winter. Whether the weather indicates this or not, the daylight does! I don't know about you but my body is ready to shut down once the sun goes down. And we are created for that to be the case! Our bodies are tuned in to a circadian rhythm. In a very simple explanation, our brains are sensitive to light through our eyes and with the rising and setting of the sun neurotransmitters are either released or taken up from the brain throughout the body to help facilitate sleep, mood, appetite and other bodily functions.
In our modern life, we have many inventions such as electricity (artificial light), televisions, gaming devices, etc. This allows us to stay awake beyond when the sun goes down. While these modern amenities feel luxurious there is often a negative price to pay. Those luxuries can be disrupters to the otherwise beautifully made natural workings of our bodies. There is plenty of research showing that certain light tones given off by devices (such as blue light) disrupts the brains ability to release melatonin and re-uptake serotonin. Disruption in the bodies ability to begin to feel sleepy and get ready for sleep, to kind of shut down so to speak for the night can be very detrimental. In good sleep is when the brain and body is able to do a lot of healing. Key word there is Good sleep. After reading a book on the circadian rhythm of humans I now have at least a rudimentary understanding of the absolute importance of good sleep. And how natural light and our bodies play into good sleep.
Walking at dusk, that time of day that the sun is going down and the sky becomes a smoky gray blue (twilight) is one of the healthiest things we can do to help ready our bodies for good sleep. Often though due to busy life schedules walking at twilight is not always available. Other things we can do is limit device exposure (tv's, screens, games) several hours before bed. This cannot be emphasized enough for our children. As a therapist, when a parent speaks to me about their child not sleeping well and/or difficulty falling asleep, etc. one of my first questions is what is your bedtime routine? Be sure devices are not part of it. Use low lamp lighting an hour or two before bed along with reading and humming to sleep are good habits. Another good habit for us adults (learning to take better care of ourselves) is to learn some gentle and restorative yoga practices. Incorporate attending one of our gentle yoga classes at least once a week. If you are able, attend the evening one that also uses a couple of restorative poses! These practices are designed for directing our systems into the calm. The Gentle and Restorative class is especially designed to bring our systems, which can be and usually are in a more "up" state from the day and week, to direct our nervous system into the para-sympathetic side.. The side, if you will, of our nervous system that allows for greater calm (out of the flight or fight state) for increased ability to boost immunity, facilitate good sleep, and increase overall Good energy! Give the class(es) at least 10 tries before you may decide it isn't' for you. As a practitioner. myself I know that when we begin to direct our nervous system from the sympathetic to the para-sympathetic sometimes the body feels annoyed...almost uncomfortable. Don't let that deter you from your path! Stay with it. The longer term results are that your systems will become used to and even begin to seek the healing that takes place when we take the time to incorporate practices such as these into our lives. The benefits are endless and include decreased anxiety, worry, strain. Increased joy, energy and hope. No it does not always happen after just one class (although some people do feel the benefits that quickly). I can honestly say though that it does change us for the better with consistent practice over time. See you on the mat!
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