Do you come home feeling fatigued, tired and stressed? Whenever you feel this way all you want to do is sit and watch TV, have a microwaved pizza for dinner and hope to God that your kids keep on chatting to their Facebook friends.
Such behaviour is harmful for your health in the long run as well as to the well being of your family. Besides increasing the probability of getting illnesses related to stress, like hypertension, obesity and high cholesterol, and your ability to unwind and sleep restfully is also affected.
When you don’t sleep you end up feeling irritable, ill- tempered and psychologically drained. Psychologically, your immune system begins to function below average, and in turn makes you feel like dead beat, sluggish and you quickly catch bugs in the air.
You may practice yoga so that you can counteract these effects.
Here are some yoga workouts that will allow you to get some restful sleep
The Cobra Pose
Lie down on your stomach keeping your hands flat on the mat or floor with your feet stretched out and closed together. Your toes and feet should be pressed firmly down on the floor with your forehead rested on a mat. Inhale and then gradually lift your head and chest from off the floor all the time keeping down your hands and pushing your hip onto the floor. Pause in this position and inhale for 3 to 5 rounds then gradually breathe out and bring back down your body.
Here’s a good video of the cobra pose:
Extended Child’s Pose
Vet yourself in the position of kneeling and sit back on the heel of your feet. You may place a pillow or a blanket between your knee and your buttocks if you do not feel comfortable.
Exhale and gradually lean your body forward allowing your head to touch the floor. Clench a fist with both your hands and rest them atop each other and then rest your head on top of them if your back and legs feel stiff and you have difficulty making your head touch the floor without taking up your hips. You may spread apart your feet if your belly feels painful.
Your buttocks should be kept on the heels of your feet. Your arms should then be outstretched forward. As you exhale each time, allow your chest to get nearer to the knees. Your shoulders should be relaxed and your arms should be brought back closer to your legs.
Remain this way for 10 to 15 rounds while breathing deeply. Exhale gently then gradually knee up and take notice of how your body feel.
Breathing Deeply
Lie down on your back, keep your eyes closed, concentrate on the centre of your heart and inhale deeply through your nostrils. Feel the expansion of your rib cage and the rush of fresh oxygen to your lungs then gradually exhale through your nostrils. While exhaling, completely empty your lungs and relax your abdomen. Do these again for about 5 to 10 rounds and you will begin to feel revitalised, focused and calm.
