No more resorting to caffeine to get past the sleepless night, try these asanas instead
While the stress of coping up with daily life, challenges, work
deadlines, and emotional turmoil often takes a toll on our sleep. The next thing we know is that we are up staring at our phones or laptops wide awake till four in the morning. Not only does insomnia messes up our sleep cycle, it also affects the body's natural functioning, indigestion and causes fatigue.
While you might already be on trying the different kinds of teas and oil therapy to be able to sleep on time, try out these yoga asanas to fight back insomnia.
Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)
Stand and keep yourfeet six inches apart and bring your chest to the ground, reaching toward the floor and hold your toes, gradually releasing tension in the hips and legs. It helps fight headaches and also lowers anxiety levels besides fighting insomnia.
Halasana (Plow Pose)
Lie down on your back and slowly lift your legs above your head taking them all the way on the flat surface behind you. Keep your hands at this moment either on your back or on the floor. This helps make the blood flow better and staying in this pose for about one-five minutes will bring relaxation and help you fall asleep that very instant.
Marjariasana (Cat pose)
Stand on your knees, then bend forward with your palms facing the floor. Keep knees and arms at equal distance and curve you back by pushing your head inside. Then bring your head slowly up pulling your chest out making a downward curve in the back. Repeat this a few times and feel the pain moving out. Makes the spine supple, rubs on the digestive organs, and advances the circulation of blood.
Viparita Karani (Legs Up The Wall Pose)
All you need for this asana is a wall. Put a block five inches from the wall. Now put your sacrum on top of the block so that the sitting bones are in the space between the support and the wall. Now, take your arms straight out to the sides with palms facing the floor. Try and stay in this pose for five to 15 minutes. It offers relaxation, removes anxiety, and sends blood back down to the heart.
Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Butterfly)
A variation of the butterfly yoga posture, for this lie down flat on your back and get the feet together while spreading out the knees in a diamond shape. Stay in this position for a few minutes and while at it observe your breathing.
A few other asanas that can help fight insomnia are Padangusthasana (Big Toe Pose), Uttana Shishosana (Extended Puppy Pose), Supine Twist and Agnistambhasana (Fire Log Pose).
