Get More Zzz's

Are you having problems getting more zzz's? The next time you find yourself lying awake at night, this simple exercise may help. Research suggests that this very old form of exercise can help fight insomnia. It's called Iyengar yoga inversions, which send blood to the head, and it has been proven to be effective. But wait, if you have high blood pressure or glaucoma, experts advise to stick to the upright position. This pose, Supported Standing Wide Leg Forward Bend, is kinda easy to relax into and will help still your thoughts.

Here's how you should do it: Stand with your hands on your hips, your feet should approximately be 4 feet apart and your toes slightly turned in. Place a block or stack several books on the floor in front of you. Breathe deeply; exhale, fold forward, and place hands on floor shoulder-distance apart with fingers spread. Lengthen spine forward and place the crown of your head on block so both your head and neck are fully supported. Draw shoulders away from ears and hug elbows in. Note that if you feel a hamstring stretch, widen your legs a bit more and raise the block. Close your eyes; breathe slowly in and out through nose. Hold up to 5 minutes, then come out of pose slowly. Do this right before bedtime and make sure to wear comfortable clothes.

A friend also suggested using Crystal Singing Bowls. It's the first time I've heard of it so I did a little research. These bowls came from Tibet and as the title says, they literally sing. The sound is believed to do everything; from making the hair on your arms stand up, to making you feel the need to sit down and let the reverberations fully envelop your entire body and your senses. It has the ability to make you feel relaxed. These bowls are pricey but if you will consider the money you'll have to spend for medication, the singing bowls are cheaper. Prices depend on the size of the bowls, the larger or heavier the bowl, the higher the price.