Did you sleep well last night? If not, mindfulness meditation practices could help you have a better night!

Mindfulness, according to Jon Kabat-Zinn, a well-known teacher of mindfulness meditation, can be defined as “paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” When it comes to sleep, you might work on being aware of all of the sensations in your body as you are lying in bed. Notice your breathing, the rise and fall of your chest, muscles relaxing and so forth. As your mind begins to wander, the practice of mindfulness is to bring the mind back to all of the immediate feelings associated with resting and being present in the current moment. According to a recent study, mindfulness practice helped adults who had moderate sleep difficulties. The study compared individuals who practiced mindfulness with a group that practiced standard sleep hygiene techniques (going to bed at a set time, avoiding stimulants after a certain hour, using the bed only for sleep and not watching T.V., etc.). The mindfulness group showed greater improvement compared to those in the sleep hygiene group. In addition, the mindfulness group showed less of the associated symptoms of insomnia, depression, and fatigue symptoms. Have a good night!

For more information on sleep awareness visit: National Sleep Foundation, www.sleepfoundation.org.