Yoga and Meditation Help Insomnia

Living with chronic insomnia is nightmare for many. According to the American Psychological Association, 50 million adults suffered from insomnia pre-Covid. Sleep problems have only intensified since the pandemic due to major changes in health, lifestyle, work and home life. Poor sleep impacts obesity, heart disease and immune responses. Sleep issues also increase the risk for depression and suicide. These are all serious problems with limited, often unsuccessful, interventions.

Current treatments include behavioral modification and prescription medications. Because of dependency and drug side effects, more people are seeking a holistic approach. There are good reasons to consider yoga.

A 2020 study published in the Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives shows that practicing yoga or meditation regularly can improve sleep quality. Prior to beginning an 8-week trial of meditation, 24 out of 32 patients were taking sedative or hypnotic medications. After 8 weeks, 87.5% were off their meds or had substantially reduced their dosage. This study is no surprise to my yoga practitioners. Many of my students reported improved sleep after just one yoga class! Use yoga to calm your nervous system and wind down from your busy day. Book a class with Joanna in Huntington Valley, PA or click the video below for a relaxing routine perfect for the end of day.