PRE-SLEEP STRETCHES

Sunset on the Gulf before the coming storm. Taken by PKSenagore June 20, 2017. All rights reserved.

WE’VE LEARNED THAT ADEQUATE SLEEP IS NECESSARY FOR RECOVERY FROM TOUGH WORKOUTS OF A TRAINING PROGRAM. AND THAT A HEFTY PRE-SLEEP PROTEIN DOSE can help build muscle and boost the total dietary protein to increase lean muscle.  Sleep can be elusive, however. Mental and physical tensions accumulated over the length of a busy day and carried over from previous days and weeks can interfere with our best efforts to slip into a peaceful slumber.
 
Proponents of yoga tells us it can help us ease muscle tension and possibly speed the process of entering into sleep.  So says Amy Schilinger, in an article for SHAPE magazine “7 Yoga Stretches to Help You Fall Asleep Fast.”   In it she provides insights from Sarah Levy, a yoga instructor who says, “Stretching not only relaxes you, it also keeps your muscles flexible so you’re less likely to experience discomfort during everyday activities”. 
 
The prescribed stretches, that include standing forward, lizard pose, up the wall, seated forward fold, happy baby, figure four, and corpse pose, seem to be technically do-able (no pretzel folding of limbs) and worth trying. Performing them nightly could potentially erase each day’s stiffness and allow a fresh start on the next new day.
 
If you have difficulty obtaining a full and restful night’s sleep, you may wish to scroll through the article.
 
RUN HAPPY!
 
http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/7-yoga-stretches-help-you-fall-asleep-fast