by Jenny Dinoia
When was the last time you woke up feeling refreshed, naturally awake and recalled your dreams?
A rejuvenating night’s sleep with vivid dreams is something you can cultivate just like your finances, your fitness level and any other area of your life with focus, determination and right action.
I admit I have drank some Nyquil or popped an ambian here and there to make sure I get some needed sleep.
Medications, alcohol, weed and other methods to help you sleep over time will not only become addictive but will not allow you to access your dream life.
Your dreams hold a valuable key to understanding your soul. Natural restful sleep and dreaming is vital to being healthy.
Your dreams are another dimension and world that is as important as your waking state.
Americans have an extremely high rate of sleep disorders and sleep medication subscriptions.
Often it is the silent elephant in the room regarding your health and life imbalances. It is considered normal to be sleep deprived and chug coffee throughout the day to get you through your morning and afternoon slumps instead of receiving the rest you need.
When is the last time you took a nap after lunch or went to bed when the sun sets?
Yes, some folks can live off of 4 hours and be balanced but on average folks need 7 -9 , sometimes more. The best way to determine how much time you need to sleep is after about a week on vacation to see how long you sleep and get up naturally without an alarm. This is what your body craves.
So how can you make changes to get better sleep?
My philosophy is quite simple. Take out all stimulants from your diet: caffeine and sugar. Secondly, exercise, especially in the morning. Be active throughout daylight hours. Eat light in the evening and turn off all electronics at least 2 hours before sleeping.
I remember when I first took out all caffeine and sugar from my diet I felt so tired and I craved sugar badly. Hang in there. After about 6-8 weeks your adrenals will thank you and you will tap into your natural energy levels.
I am leading a special Full Moon Ceremony on Thursday March 5th where we will focus on how to create a sleep sanctuary.
Your bedroom needs to be a sanctuary designated for sleep and intimacy only. When you bring work, netflix, facebook, etc into that space your sleep will be affected.
I am a big fan of focusing on what we want and working from the inside out. I pray before I sleep and focus on what I want to dream about. I am lucky to have a very vivid dream world. I invite you, if you do not have a current dream journal practice and want to get in touch with your dreams, to start tonight. Get yourself a journal specifically designated for your dreams and place it right near your bed. Right when you wake up, even if at three in the morning, write down what you remember of your dreams. After a few weeks, read your dream journal and be amazed at the hidden messages, or blatantly obvious messages, that your dreams are whispering to you. Sometimes, we just need to spend some time to listen.
I know we all have many responsibilities and a dream journal practice is time consuming. You don’t have to do it 365 days a year but it is such a valuable tool. I urge you to explore this practice. Please email me at theyogaroomsf@gmail.com to let me know how your dream journal is going for you.
Until the next time and remember to stay WILD,
Jenn Dinoia
theyogaroomsf.com
Full Moon Circle: How To Create a Sleep Sanctuary
Thursday March 5th, 7-8:30pm
$10-$20 sliding scale
rsvp: theyogaroomsf@gmail.com
The Yoga Room 