Try this 5 minute bedtime ritual for peaceful sleep (and learn why rest is just as important as sleep)

One of the complaints I most often get from clients is a struggle with getting enough sleep or quality sleep.

Studies have shown that our Amygdala (the fight or flight part of our survival brain) is 60% MORE active when we are sleep deprived. So getting quality sleep is incredibly important for our mental wellbeing.

To add salt to the wound, we already know how important sleep is, so when we’re not getting it, it automatically triggers a downward spiral in our mind as our brain goes down the list of all the things that will be negatively impacted by this lack of sleep.

While improving our sleep is one way to positively impact our mental health, lack of sleep/quality sleep isn’t the only reason we feel tired.

We can also reduce feelings of tiredness AND support our mental wellbeing through REST.

The rule of 42 says that our body and brain need us to spend 42% of our time resting.

That‘s about 10 hours out of every 24.

Before you panic, let me explain.

Sleep falls under the category of rest
It doesn't have to be every day; it can average out over a week or a month or more.
There are at least 7 different types of rest we can give our body that will support our wellbeing and vitality.

Here are two ways to support your sleep and rest.

My 5 Minute Bedtime Ritual

for Peaceful Sleep

Interested in the essential oil I use in the video? You can find it here.

Getting enough quality sleep and still often fee tired?

The 7 Types of Rest might be the key to increasing your overall wellbeing.

The 7 Types of Rest

Physical Rest: Allowing your muscles, joints, bones, organs and systems to rest. Ie. constructive rest, legs up the wall, rest day or restorative exercise

Mental Rest: Allowing your brain to rest. Ie. meditation

Sensory Rest: Allowing your eyes, ears and brain to rest. Ie. channel your inner goldfish, take a break from electronics

Emotional Rest: Allowing your feelings and the part of you that is human to rest. Ie. call a friend, write it out

Creative Rest: Allowing the advanced cognitive, problem solving part of your brain to rest. Ie. make a collage, color, go for an intentional or intuitive walk

Social Rest: Allowing the interacting part of you to rest. Ie. take time to yourself, spend time in the company of your top 5 people

Spiritual Rest: Allowing your soul to be nourished. Ie. meditation or prayer, listen to music, look at artwork, volunteer (anything that nourishes your soul and feeds your spirit)

*The 7 Types Of Rest come from a book called Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith.

Is it time to commit to bringing more rest into your days?

Sign up for the 7 Types of Rest Challenge here.

I would love to hear how the bedtime ritual goes for you! Or if there is a specific type of rest that resonates with you. Share in the comments below.