All the parts of the human body work together, although each one has its especial part to do. The stomach must have a time to rest between meals. The other parts of the body require rest, too. This they usually get while we are asleep. We must not be neglectful and fail to give them enough rest, or they will soon get worn out and give us trouble.
Sometimes, when people are not well or are all worn out, they find they cannot sleep well at night. There are a number of little things that can be done to induce sleep. A warm bath before retiring, followed by a gentle massage, especially along the spine, often will, by relaxing the nerves and muscles, produce very good results. A hot foot bath, which draws the blood away from the brain, frequently will be found beneficial. A glass of warm plant based milk or cocoa, taken just before retiring, often will have the same effect. If the sleeplessness is a result of indigestion, a plain diet will relieve. Sleeping on a hard bed without any pillow sometimes produces the desired effect as well. Always have plenty of fresh air in the room. Keep the mind free from the cares of the day. If they will intrude, crowd them out by repeating something else, such as a soothing sentence / affirmation / mantra or bit of poetry. One good plan is to close the left nostril by pressing on it with the finger, then take four deep breaths through the right nostril. Then close the right nostril and take four deep breaths through the left one. Repeat this about four times. Then breathe slowly through both nostrils, but count your breaths. You seldom will count very many. Never take any sleepaids or tablets except those advised by your physician, for they could contain drugs that can injure the heart.
You may find that you know a number of people who are nervous, which means they have no control of their nerves, but let them run away with them. Sometimes this is evidenced by palpitation of the heart, headache, backache, and many other disorders. There may be a tendency to cry at trivial things, or a feeling of having “the blues.” The cause usually can be found in unfriendly surroundings or occupation, loss of friends, or real or imagined troubles. Whatever the cause, it should be removed, if possible, and measures taken to restore the worn out nerves that are crying for rest or food. Some tonics could help, and so could nourishing food; also a change of scenery and occupation, if possible. A person who is nervous frequently probably does not realize what the cause of his/her condition, and considers only the symptoms, so when he/she has a headache, resorts to medicine. In taking these he/she is only deadening the pain and not removing the cause, so the pain is liable to return.
With all this being said, we charge you with the task of evaluating your quality of sleep and ability to rest and make lifestyle adjustments accordingly.
Side Note: Although not necessarily promoted, it is quite okay if you happen to nap during your massage. As we always say, you will always receive the therapeutic benefits of massage even if you don’t remember it. 😉
