The Best Meditation for Sleep

While many prefer a guided meditation for sleep, there are some obvious advantages to learning self-guided sleep meditation techniques for those times when an electronic device may not be handy or convenient.

As importantly, because a self-directed sleep meditation program “turns off” as soon as you do, it makes it easier for you to enter deeper states quicker when you first fall asleep. 

The best meditation for sleep is one that:

• Helps you fall asleep quickly
• Facilitates a deep sleep or delta state
• Helps you stay asleep

But before we just put a band-aid on your sleeping problems, I think it is important that we give some attention to what is causing it, don’t you?

There is solid scientific evidence that insufficient sleep (less than 7 – 9 hours per night) can lead to all sorts of health issues, such as weight gain, loss of memory and mental acuity, and make you more accident prone. Yet according to Gallup about 40% of Americans are sleeping less than 7 hours per night. And the biggest sleep problem is falling asleep with ease.

If you are one of those people who has difficulty falling asleep, you will probably agree that it is typically your mind that is the problem. Babies don't have sleep problems unless there is something truly wrong. That is because they haven't learned to worry yet.

If you are worrying and mentally problem solving, it is really hard to fall asleep, isn’t it?

Generally, I am not a proponent of sweeping problems under the rug. But worrying about money, your relationships or anything else at bedtime is unlikely to produce any real solutions. Instead, sleep deprivation only causes more suffering. 

The beauty of meditation for sleep is that it helps you turn off mental anxiety and refocus your mind so you can fall asleep more easily. You can also use sleep meditation techniques such as auto-suggestion to “program” yourself to sleep deeper, longer and wake up without an alarm clock.

Meditation for sleep vs. popping a pill

One of the main advantages that come from using meditation for sleep instead of drugs is that there are no side effects. Whereas even over-the-counter drugs will make you feel drowsy the next day and can be harmful to your health if taken regularly.

Meditation on the other hand is scientifically proven to slow your heart rate and ignite the parasympathetic nervous system which improves your health and general sense of well-being. What a great way to fall comfortably into sleep!

The Difference Between Sleep Meditation and Other Forms of Meditation (Important)

It is important to remember that when you are using meditation for sleep, the goal is to turn off the conscious mind and fall asleep, whereas when you are doing other types of meditation the goal is to stay awake and consciously aware.

Getting Started with Meditation for Sleep

1. Lie in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Remember your goal is to fall asleep (not to finish the meditation period) so the only rule of sleep meditation posture is to be in a comfortable sleeping position – whatever that means for you.
2. Bring your attention inward by taking a few nice slow deep breaths and feeling the air filling your lungs and abdomen and notice the sensation as you exhale slowly.
3. Follow one of these sleep meditation methods.

If you are are interested in learning meditation (the sitting kind) you may be interested in reading my free beginners guide to meditation here.

Let me know how it goes...