Sleep is an important function of life. It is during sleep that growth, regeneration and healing is most active. It is during sleep that we process our daily experiences; and clear and refresh our minds for the next day’s mental activity. It is during sleep that we recover from stress – physical, emotional and mental.

Sleep deprivation can cause loss of mental function, mood disorders and promote inflammatory diseases and pain.

In order to have good quality of sleep, you need to prepare for it, and take steps to ensure that your body and mind can optimise the time available. This involves signalling to the body that it is night-time; ensuring you have a comfortable environment; completing other functions such as digestion in good time; and relaxing the body and mind so you go straight into the deep, restful states of sleep.

Create a routine around sleep; better still create a ritual that celebrates the vital process of sleep.

Sleep Routine

Have dinner early – at 6-7 pm – and have a light, digestible meal. Reduce carbohydrates, dairy and sweets, and prefer soups.

Use the daily cycles of the ayurvedic Doshas – Vata from 2-6 o’ clock; Kapha from 6-10; and Pitta from 10-2. Go to sleep in Kapha time – around 10 pm – as this is the time of heaviness. Wake up in Vata time – around 6 am – as this is the time of lightness.

Start winding down at around 8-9 pm:

• Switch off the TV and computer; and dim the lights. This signals to the brain that it is night-time.
• Engage only in quiet activity and gentle, peaceful conversation.
• Do some gentle yoga stretches – forward bends, twists, recovery poses.
• Do some gentle deep breathing – Alternate Nostril Breath (Nadi Shodhana), Black Bee Breath (Brahmari) or Throat Awareness Breath (Ujjayi). Have a Yoga Therapy consultation for a complete programme.
• If you do drink milk, have half a glass of milk warmed with a selection from ginger powder, cinnamon, cardamon. Add a pinch of nutmeg, and some honey. For a more potent effect – especially if you wake up during the night – take an ayurvedic herbal formula that I can prescribe for you.
• A simple 10 minute meditation such as breath awareness in the nostrils.
• Lying in bed on your back, visualise a wave moving up the legs and body as you breathe in; down the body and legs as you breathe out. Slow the breath down, and feel the body getting lighter and lighter. Alternatively, listen to a Yoga Nidra MP3 that we can provide.

If you follow this routine for some time, you will find the quality of your sleep improves. Even if you don’t get a full night’s sleep, the deep sleep in the early part of the night will recharge you sufficiently. As a result, your health and wellbeing will improve.

If you need a complete programme, contact us for a consultation.

Copyright Gerald Lopez 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Free Talk – Taking Charge of Your Health with Ayurveda and Yoga

When: 8-9pm Thursday 10th June 2010
Where: Harvest Natural Health Centre, 407a Richmond Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland (above Harvest Whole Foods)

Gerald Lopez, Ayurveda and Yoga consultant, explains how the ancient sciences of Ayurveda and Yoga help you optimise your health and wellbeing – and look after your family.

Includes an introduction to:

• The Five Elements
• The Three Doshas
• Food and eating habits
• Body therapies
• Exercise and breathing
• Deep relaxation
• The science of Longevity

Refreshments of delicious Ayurvedic teas kindly sponsored by Maharishi Ayurveda Products!

Be in the draw for a free Ayurvedic Massage or Ayurvedic Consultation!

Book your place now by emailing us, or calling 0800 235 023. Bring your friends, or share this page (click Share This button below) if you are not coming!

Where to find it:

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Sharn Rayner - Pod Consulting

Science of Life has teamed up with Pod Consulting Ltd; to provide powerful stress management programmes for businesses.

Stress situations offer opportunity for growth – provided the stress is effectively and systematically managed. Many progressive businesses are finding that well-managed workplace stress offers significant bottom-line benefits.

Expected results include:

• Improved health and wellbeing
• Better sleep and ability to relax
• Reduced absenteeism and improved workplace productivity
• Improved communication and relationships within the workplace
• Improved communication and relationships with clients and suppliers, enhancing the business brand

Gerald Lopez - Science of Life

The comprehensive programme includes the following:

• Assessment of participants for current stress levels and ability to manage pressure.
• Practical workshop on definitions, causes, effects and signs of stress; and simple and powerful stress reduction techniques.
• One-on-one coaching to integrate workshop knowledge, set goals and devise action plans.

Your coordinators and facilitators for this exciting new programme are Sharn Rayner of Pod Consulting Ltd, and Gerald Lopez of Science of Life. They offer combined experience and skills in Human Resources and Stress Management.

Contact us now for further information. Phone 0800 235 023 or email us.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is here again, and there is the usual talk of early detection and of finding the “cure” around the corner, but no mention of preventing the dreaded epidemic — an absurd and cruel philosophy that fails humanity by focusing on closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.

By focusing on disease, we create anxiety and fear, which itself creates disease by causing stress and disarming the immune system. Instead, by focusing on health, women can move from a position of fear to a position of empowerment.

For the benefit of our beloved womenfolk, I now share vital (from the Latin vitalis “of or belonging to life”) information on staying healthy. more…

There is a wealth of information on what we should eat to stay healthy — Today, I shall talk about a subject that goes unmentioned in the health circles: How we eat, and how our eating habits affect our health.

The Art of Eating

Have you ever wondered why some people may eat all the “right” food but still get sick? Whilst some eat “wrong” food but remain healthy?

Part of the solution may be due to HOW they eat. more…

“Yoga Nidra, which is derived from the tantras, is a powerful technique in which you learn to relax consciously. In yoga nidra, sleep is not regarded as relaxation. People feel they are relaxing when they collapse in an easy chair with a cup of coffee, a drink or a cigarette, and read a newspaper or switch on the television. But this will never suffice as a scientific definition of relaxation. These are only sensory diversions. True relaxation is actually an experience far beyond all this. For absolute relaxation you must remain aware. This is yoga nidra, the state of dynamic sleep.” – Swami Satyananda Saraswati more…

Stress is a natural condition of life – any change in our external or internal environment creates a need for the body to balance the effects of that change.

Stress creates the opportunity for growth – physically and mentally. The important point is that periods of stress must be followed by periods of recovery for growth to occur – otherwise, instead, there is damage or burnout. This is the principle that is used in world-class athletic training – and can be applied to all aspects of life. more…

People have been having colds and influenza (flus) since the beginning of Time (and remember, Time was invented by humans!). Epidemics started not long after, and flu pandemics now occur every year.

The main distinguishing features between cold and flu symptoms, are that flus are often accompanied by muscle aches and high temperatures. Flu in addition tends to infect the lungs and cause  more malaise (feeling “under the weather”). more…

Copyright AmUnivers

Natural health is all about understanding the influences around you – your foods, local geography and climate, the seasons; and even the clothes and gemstones you wear, and the positions of the planets and stars!

The seasons of Spring and Autumn represent major shifts in energy – Spring being the time of renewed vigour and the rising sap; and Autumn the time of slowing down, of withdrawing for hibernation and rest. In traditional societies, Autumn is the time of the final harvests; processing and storing foods; and preparing for the short days and cold, dark nights of Winter. more…

Pain can be emotionally and physically exhausting, and many people are searching for safe and effective solutions – yet there have been natural solutions for pain for thousands of years!

Science of Life is now offering a holistic approach that includes herbal anti-inflammatories, ayurvedic massage therapies, diet and lifestyle recommendations, gentle exercise – and the latest technology, called Microcurrent Electrical Therapy (MET). more…