Yoga has been shown to have many positive benefits on people’s health and well-being. The consistent practice of yoga can help calm stress and anxiety, ease muscle pain and soreness, and yoga can even cure insomnia.

If you’re looking for a calming addition to your bedtime routine, yoga may be the solution for you. We’ll talk you through these four benefits to practicing yoga before bed, and by the time we’re done, you’ll be convinced that this is something you should try out.

1. You Will Silence Your Monkey Mind

Monkey mind is something almost all of us experience. At the end of a long day, it’s sometimes nearly impossible to turn your brain off. Our thoughts endlessly spin in our head and no matter how hard we try, we can’t simply quiet it to have a peace of mind.

Practicing yoga can help you clear your mind and finally silence all the chaos. Through deep breathing and stretching, you will be able to focus on the here-and-now and simply be instead of do.

2. You Will Feel the Stress Wash Away

Once your mind is clear, you’ll feel a weight lift off your shoulders. Yoga has been proven to physically reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels in the brain. Cortisol is a steroid hormone associated with stress and danger. When you practice yoga, you can trigger the relaxation response instead.

The relaxation response is when your body releases chemicals and signals to the brain that make your muscles and organs slow down. Blood flow increases to the brain and you will feel the calm rush over you. This is the opposite of the “fight or flight” response. Instead of feeling on edge, you’ll feel completely at ease, which is perfect before bedtime.

3. You Will Sleep Better

Yoga is often recommended as a natural remedy for insomnia due to its ability to help both your mind and your body relax. When you can calm your body before bedtime, you will have a much easier time falling asleep at night. Not only does this make falling asleep easier, so is staying asleep. Yoga helps you experience deeper and more restorative sleep, which goes a long way in your mental health and well being.

4. You Can Reduce Pain

One of the main issues giving people a night of restlessness is discomfort. When you’re tossing and turning, it’s difficult to get a good night’s rest. Yoga can help eliminate this issue by reducing any pain issues or muscle soreness you may have.

Stretching always comes highly recommended when it comes to reducing pain, especially temporary pain that is on-set by high-intensity exercise. Use this time before bed to work out any tension in your muscles so you can relax all night long.

Quick Tips on Yoga Stretches for Bedtime

Now that you’re convinced it’s time to incorporate yoga into your nightly routine, we’ll give you a place to start. Here are a few stretches that can help you stretch out sore muscles, focus on deep breathing, clear your mind, and properly prepare for a night of restorative sleep:

• Child’s Pose
• Pigeon Pose
• Downward Dog
• Heron Pose
• Thread the Needle
• Half Lotus Twist

Dim the lights, diffuse some relaxing essential oils, and take this time to treat yourself to a calming yoga session for the best wind down routine possible!