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A breathing technique to help you fall asleep faster

A Breathing Technique to Help You Fall Asleep Faster

written by Parita 8 Comments

How many times do you head to bed physically exhausted but mentally wide awake?  If you’re like me, it probably happens more often than you’d like to admit.  And when it does, it’s not a fun feeling.  Tossing and turning and willing yourself to just. fall. asleep.  Like most people, I prefer the “head hits pillow, eyes close, sleep ensues” kind of routine.

What if I told you that going from wide awake to sound asleep is only a few deep breaths away?  You probably wouldn’t believe me at first, but after trying my breathing technique, it’d become a part of your bedtime routine.  Trust me!

A breathing technique to help you fall asleep faster

True story – I was in bed the other night playing on my iPhone (I know, I know…), when I happened to look at my alarm clock.  It was closing in on 11 pm (waaaay past my bed time).  I put my phone away, closed my eyes, and waited for deep sleep to hit.  Annnnd…nothing.  The worst part?  Vishnu was passed out.  And that’s when I started breathing deeply in the following way…

Breathe in deeply through your nose to a mental count of four (and by deeply I mean a belly breath).  
Pause for a count of two.
Release the breath through your mouth to a mental count of four.
Pause for a count of two.
Repeat for as long as needed and eventually you will be sleeping like a baby! 

I swear I was asleep in a matter of minutes.  Works every time!

The next time your body is ready to sleep but your mind isn’t, give this technique a try.  And be patient.  Sleep will come, I promise!

Are you an instant sleeper or does it take you a while to fall asleep?

Written on February 19, 2016 Related:Health, Self

Semi Sleepless Nights Make for Humorous Mornings

written by Parita 9 Comments

It’s story time on my inner shakti! 

This one has to do with marriage.  Ah, marriage.  It’s wonderful the majority of the time, but there are those rare moments where I literally scream and/or cry.

First some background information.  Vishnu and I have been on different sleep schedules for the past two months (ish).  While my bedtime is anywhere between 10:30 and 11:00 pm, Vishnu is up until 1:30 am studying.  This means that I’m in deep sleep when he finally gets into bed. 

Weekend words 010

Haha!

While not ideal, our little routine has been working out just fine.  Until now…

About three nights ago, I was fast asleep when all of a sudden I felt Vishnu’s arm smack down on my back.  Ouch!  I literally shouted owwww.  Vishnu mumbled that he was sorry.  A little while later I felt his fist on my head.  No joke.  He was literally all over the place that night.  This time I yelled a little more loudly.  Vishnu just turned his back on me (the nerve!).  A little while later (yes, there was one more “episode”), I felt his arm,  plop over my stomach.  That was it.  I sat up and yelled, “Stop it!!!”  Vishnu also got up and said, “Don’t get mad at me.  I didn’t do it on purpose.”  We both turned our backs on each other and went back to sleep (one of us slept better than the other).  While we were both a little irritated (Vishnu was mad that I was mad!) throughout the night, we had a good laugh in the morning when Vishnu reenacted the whole thing.

So that was the screaming I eluded to earlier.  Now on to the crying.

Last night, as Vishnu was getting into bed, our bedroom door slammed shut.  I gasped and started crying.  I kid you not, there were tears streaming down my face.  Vishnu tried to calm me down by asking why I was crying.  In between sobs, I managed to say, “YOU ARE SO LOUD!!!”  And this time, I turned my back on him.  He softly told me to go back to sleep.  So I did.  Ha!  And yet again, we had a good laugh in the morning when Vishnu asked if I remembered crying. 

Thank goodness we adore more than we irritate!  And I love to laugh…that definitely works in Vishnu’s favor.  Ha!

Written on May 22, 2013 Related:Humor, Marriage, Relationships

Life Lately…

written by Parita 7 Comments

Life lately has been full of a lot of excitement.  One of my best friends just got engaged on Sunday, and I’m so over-the-top happy for her!  I honestly felt like I was reliving my own engagement when I found out about hers.  I love love!

AZ

Me and Rosh hiking in AZ!

Life lately has been full of packing.  Lots and lots of packing.  My dad is flying in on Thursday night, and we’re driving down to Fort Lauderdale on Saturday – me in my car and my dad in a U-Haul.  Thank God for my dad!

Life lately has been full of omelets.  My sister called today just as I was finishing dinner, and when I told her what I ate, she laughed.  I’ve been eating an egg white omelet with black beans, goat cheese, and salsa for dinner every other night for the past week and a half.  What can I say – it’s easy and filling.  And anyway, it’s hard to cook when most of your pots, pans, and kitchen gadgets are packed away.

Life lately has been full of funny ideas.  The particular incident I’m thinking about has to do with our new apartment and Vishnu’s inspection.  After getting the keys, he went in to take a look and then called me to let me know everything was good to go.  Almost.  He told me that we would most likely have to put our dresser in the closet because there was no way everything was going to fit in our bedroom.  My initial response was, “You want to put the dresser in the closet?!  What are you talking about!?”  He told me there’s no space for all of our furniture.  I then proceeded to go online and take a closer look at the layout and dimensions for our apartment.  I didn’t know what he was talking about – the master bedroom is huge.  I laughed at his ridiculous comment, but he was still convinced that the dresser was going in the closet.  When he got back to his apartment, he decided to measure all of the furniture to see if it would indeed fit [like I believed].  I got a phone call afterwards, and lo and behold, the dresser will not be going in the closet. 

Life lately has been full of nerds.  I’m done with the first five seasons of The Big Bang Theory.  LOVE THIS SHOW!  I can’t wait for season six to start in September!

One of my favorite scenes!


Life lately has been full of sleepless nights.  And this is frustrating.  There is nothing better then getting into bed, closing your eyes, letting your body relax, and falling fast asleep.  But no.  I get into bed, toss and turn, and get up at least twice throughout the night.  I would be surprised if I was getting a full six hours a night.  This has got to change…ASAP.  I’m really hoping being back at home for a while will help remedy the situation.  *Fingers crossed*

Life lately has been hectic but fun.  Lots of fun. Smile

What has life been for you lately?

Written on May 16, 2012 Related:Life, Moving

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