- Releasing tension in your muscles by stretching can help to promote a high-quality, deeper sleep.
- It’s important to have healthy habits and a nighttime routine that can signal to your body that it’s time to rest.
- Some simple habits to promote sleep include optimizing sleep environment, avoiding electronics and exercising regularly.
Are you having trouble sleeping? It might be time to reevaluate some of your habits and create new routines to promote a restful night’s sleep. One area that’s often overlooked is the value of a stretching routine before bed. This simple act has been proven to improve quality of sleep and help you fall asleep quicker.
Stretching helps you take time out of your day to be mindful and get in touch with your body, but it also helps to loosen tight muscles and prevent cramps that may be disrupting your sleep. Follow along for some stretches and habits you should practice before bed to improve your sleep:
Stretch: Neck Stretch
We hold a lot of tension in our neck, shoulders and upper back from daily stresses. It’s important to relieve stress in this area with stretches, which can help to promote sleep and improve your posture.
One popular neck stretch is to gently tilt your head sideways and bring your right ear towards your right shoulder. Hold this position for five breaths, then repeat on the opposite side. Another neck stretch you could try is dropping your chin forward down to your chest. Hold for five seconds, return to a neutral position, and repeat.
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