Quality sleep has evolved in our fast-paced environment from a given to a luxury. Expert in mindfulness Zara Mitchell shows how the secret to more profound, restful sleep is meditation. Meditation treats the underlying causes of sleep disturbances—stress, racing thoughts, and a hyperactive nervous system—not unlike fast cures that cover symptoms.
Just 10 to 15 minutes of meditation before bed, Zara says, can tell your body it’s time to relax. Methods such concentrated breathing or guided body scanning stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, hence reducing heart rate and cortisol levels. This habit rewires the brain’s sleep rhythms over time, therefore facilitating natural falling and staying asleep.
Zara’s approach is unusual as she stresses consistency above perfection. She argues, “even restless meditation sessions count.” She suggests basic substitutes for individuals who find conventional meditation difficult, such as conscious journaling or thank-you notes. These techniques produce comparable relaxation without exerting “clearing your mind’s pressure.”
Studies of habitual meditators reveal more melatonin generation and greater time spent in deep REM sleep, therefore supporting Zara’s approaches. Her customers said they woke up not only less fatigued but rather quite invigorated, a vital difference for long-term health.
