The day we all need to recuperate after a busy Christmas and New years Eve Celebrations is upon us… The Festival of Sleep Day, and this is one we definitely want to celebrate.
What is The Festival of Sleep Day?
The Festival of Sleep Day is a day to celebrate sleep and relaxation. It’s a day to take a break from our busy lives and get some rest, and its celebrated today, January 3rd.
Here are some ways you can celebrate:
1. Take a nap or lie in
Switch off the alarm and do exactly what this day is day is about… Sleep! If your schedule wont allow for a lie in, why not clock off early and have an afternoon nap or grab an early night. Your body and mind will thank you for it.
2. Have breakfast in bed
Having a bowl of cereal, an ulster fry or a simple cup of coffee in bed is a great way to start your Festival of Sleep day.
3. Refresh your bedding
There’s nothing better than slipping into a fresh clean bed after a relaxing bath or shower, and we’re pretty sure it aids in a good nights sleep too.
4. Meditate
If you have been thinking of starting to meditate to relax and restore, today is the perfect day to start. It doesn’t need to be a meditation session, shorter meditations can last 5 minutes and still have amazing effects.
-
- Set the tone wherever you decide to meditate. Light candles or diffuse some essential oils and create a space where you feel comfortable to sit or lay down.
- Grab a pillow or blanket or whatever else would make you feel calm, relaxed and comfortable.
- Find the perfect guided meditation (there is lots of guided meditations on YouTube or apps such as calm, find one that suits you and begin)
- Starting with your feet. cheek in with each part of your body, slowly working your way up.
- Acknowledge any tension, accepting that it exists in the first place. Release and let go, continuing all the way up to your head.
- Focus your attention on your breath. Slow down each inhale and exhale. the belly will start to rise and fall as the breath deepens.
- Thoughts will come up. Meditation takes practice and we can never really stop our minds from running completely. Be patient with yourself. As each thought comes, acknowledge and accept its presence, releasing it and focusing your attention back to your breath.
- You will start to notice themes that you can focus on and this will help you find guided meditations tailored to these themes.
5. Practice deep breathing
You can do it standing up, sitting in a chair that supports your back or lying on a bed or yoga mat on the floor.
-
- Make yourself as comfortable as you can. If you can, loosen any clothing that may restrict your breathing.
- If you’re lying down, place your arms a little bit away from your side, with the palms up. Let your legs be straight, or bed your knees so your feet are flat.
- If you’re sitting, place your arms on the chair arms.
- if you’re sitting or standing place both feet flat on the ground.
- Whatever position you’re in place your feet roughly hip-width apart.
- Let your breath flow deep down into you belly as is comfortable, without forcing it.
- Try breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth.
- Breathe in gently and regularly. In for 4 counts, let it flow out gently for 4 counts.
- Keep doing this for at least 5 minutes.
6. Plan a day of calming activities
Whether you are dedicating a whole day to The Festival of Sleep Day, an hour or two after work or on you lunch hour, there’s still plenty of time to plan a relaxing activity. Whether it be binging a new show on Netflix. reading that book you have been putting off, taking a relaxing candlelit bath or booking in for a massage, facial or Indian head massage (which are all available her at The Fountain of Beauty. BOOK HERE)
Recent Comments