We all know the importance of sleep. It's when our bodies repair, our minds recharge, and our creativity sparks. But what if you're constantly sleep-deprived? Deadlines loom, responsibilities pile up, and precious shut-eye feels like a luxury you can't afford or you just can't quite reach.
Fear not, weary warriors! There's a glimmer of hope – a practice called Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) that offers some of the restorative benefits of sleep, even without slumber. This is following on from my previous post about about the importance of getting your body clock in order - I am convinced that if you can nail these two things (and they are both simple little 10-15 min a day practices) then you'll feel like a well rested little nugget. I've been doing this for a little while now after it was recommended to me by my osteopath and I've definitely noticed I'm much calmer during the day, I'm waking up feeling more refreshed and I'm able to fall asleep more easily at night by coming back to this mindset and process as I try to drift off, which in turn means I'm much more focused and able to make good decisions when I need to.
What is NSDR?
Imagine achieving a state of deep relaxation that rivals sleep, but with full consciousness. That's the essence of NSDR. Through guided audio instructions, you'll be led through a process of deep breathing and focused attention, allowing your mind and body to enter a profoundly restful state. (I found some on spotify)
Benefits Beyond Relaxation:
NSDR goes beyond mere relaxation and you might be wondering what on earth this has to do with coaching... Research suggests NSDR can trigger physiological restoration similar to sleep, benefiting your body and mind in numerous ways:
