Will Meditation Help Me Sleep? Here’s What You Should Know

Mar 31, 2020 / Meditation

Blissful, restful slumber is a thing of beauty! When you gain a good night’s sleep, you wake up energized and ready to take on the world. However, for some of us, doing just that can be a challenge. Meditation may be the answer. In this guide, we will look at the research behind sleep meditation and how it relates to the world of Kundalini Yoga.

What is Meditation in Kundalini Yoga?

“Lie down on your back please, and take a nap. We are giving you a lullaby to put you to sleep like little children. We expect you to go quickly into a deep sleep now. Get lost. Relax your body, relax your mind and relate to your soul.”
– Yogi Bhajan

Meditation is a core part of the Kundalini Yoga teachings. When you start your practice, you will begin to learn a variety of meditation styles you can use in your daily life. The practice helps you calm your mind and enter a deeper state of consciousness. Through your practice, you will begin to reap many rewards of meditation.

Entering the meditative state may seem difficult at first. Thankfully, Yogi Bhajan, the master of Kundalini Yoga, gave us hundreds of effective techniques we can use during sessions. Whether you’re entirely new to the practice or already come with some knowledge under your belt, you can begin to learn this important aspect of your everyday yoga.

Will Meditation Help Me Sleep Each Night?

The simple answer to this question is yes. Meditation causes you to relax and reach a level of inner calm. There have been many studies into how meditation can improve people’s sleep and, in effect, their well-being. Whether you’re struggling with getting the rest that you need or simply wish to improve your nighttime routine, you may try it.

As you begin your Kundalini Yoga journey, you will learn the art of meditation and apply it to your everyday life. Many of the meditations you will encounter take mere minutes. Ahead of going to bed, you may choose to use some of these practices to help you gain a relaxed and calm mindset. Mentally preparing yourself for sleep is the first step here.

The Science Behind Sleep Meditation

One of the most surprising benefits of meditation in Kundalini Yoga is better sleep. If you’re new to the yogic lifestyle, understanding the relationship between meditation and your nighttime rest is a must. Engaging in the yogic lifestyle will transform all aspects of your being, including how relaxed you are. As you find your inner power, you will begin to notice some remarkable changes in how you feel, your emotional state, and your spiritual state.

If you’re wondering how meditation can improve your sleep, we have the answers for you here. Aside from giving you an intense sense of relaxation, meditation also offers a wealth of incredible benefits. Moreover, there have been many scientific studies into the relationship between sleep and meditation. Here are some of the most interesting findings.

1. Improved Sleep Quality

Getting a good night’s rest isn’t simply about how many hours you sleep. It’s also about the quality of sleep that you experience. While environmental factors—such as light and heat in your bedroom—can play a role here, your state of mind also impacts how well you sleep. Believe it or not, research from the JAMA Internal Medicine Journal found a link between mindfulness meditation and a higher quality of sleep each night.

2. Treats Insomnia

People who have insomnia experience a variety of sleep-related problems each night. These include finding it hard to fall to sleep, waking up periodically during the night, and feeling fatigued throughout the day. Needless to say, this health concern can impact all areas of a person’s life and the condition can often be hard to combat.

According to the Sleep Foundation, you can use meditation to help manage the symptoms of this condition. The experts recommend engaging in a form of meditation directly before you intend to go to bed. You could include a short meditation in your evening routine.

3. Reduces Stress Levels

Naturally, worries and stresses can keep us all awake at night. Should you find that your day-to-day problems are troubling you when you try to sleep, you need to find relief. Mindfulness and meditation techniques can be applied to help lower people’s stress levels, according to information from Harvard University. Many of the Kundalini Yoga meditations can help you to overcome your stressors, clear your mind, and reach relaxation.

4. Alters Your Brain Waves

During Kundalini Yoga meditation, there is a real shift in your brain waves. According to research from The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, theta brain waves are most common during a meditative state. These brain waves are most common when you are in a relaxed but focused mental state. It’s important to realize that—while meditation can feel like sleep—the brain waves are not the same. During slumber, you experience mainly delta waves, which are rarely present in meditation. These brain waves are slow and deep penetrating, like the sound of a large drum. They are mainly present in dreamless sleep.

5. Improved Energy Levels

When you find it hard to gain a full night’s sleep, your energy levels will be at an all-time low. Luckily, it may surprise you to learn that Kundalini Yoga meditation can also energize you throughout the day. Research from experts at the University of Waterloo found that both yoga and meditation can improve your brain function and give you more energy. With that in mind, when you feel that you’re lacking alertness, engage in a short meditation.

Start Now and Improve Your Sleep!

If you’re ready to completely transform the rest you get each night, there’s no time like the present. Through the remarkable teachings of Kundalini Yoga, you can begin to gain a deeper sense of calm and inner peace. These tools may be used to improve your sleep and give you higher levels of energy than you have experienced before now.

Start by reading our interesting guide to deep sleep meditation and follow the actionable advice set out there. Sleep is the foundation of your health and you must not overlook it. Make it a priority in your life today and embark on a more rested, happier lifestyle.