{"id":33397,"date":"2024-09-24T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.saatva.com\/?p=33397"},"modified":"2024-09-11T13:34:55","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T13:34:55","slug":"non-sleep-deep-rest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/non-sleep-deep-rest\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Non-Sleep Deep Rest\u2014and Can It Help You Relax?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Imagine being able to enjoy the benefits of an afternoon power nap<\/a> without needing to sleep, including possibly even improving your nighttime sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a ton of\u00a0relaxation techniques<\/a>\u00a0out there that claim to improve sleep. As always, check your sources to make sure you aren\u2019t wasting your time on something that’s more hype than help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most recent technique, getting buzz from tech CEOs and popular wellness influencers, is referred to as “non-sleep deep rest” or NSDR. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might be asking yourself: What is non-sleep deep rest\u2014and does it really work? In this article, we\u2019ll explore the hype, the how-tos, and the science behind NSDR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is non-sleep deep rest? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Non-sleep deep rest is a blanket term for several techniques people use to create in their minds a sense of calmness and focus. They aren\u2019t meant to put you to sleep but to get you into the kind of relaxed, semi-conscious state that comes just before you drift off to sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples of NSDR include yoga nidra, also called yogic sleep, which usually involves focusing on a mental image while lying down. Meditation<\/a> can foster a calm, relaxed state. Hypnosis<\/a> has been shown to offer a way to self-direct the mind to a relaxed state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Non-sleep deep rest is a blanket term for several techniques people use to create in their minds a sense of calmness and focus. They aren\u2019t meant to put you to sleep but to get you into the kind of relaxed, semi-conscious state that comes just before you drift off to sleep.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Breathwork is another example of a technique\u2014this one involving consciously controlling the breath\u2014that can affect your mental state and reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whichever technique you try, its purpose is to give you a short, focused time of deep relaxation that can provide a major boost in energy and focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does non-sleep deep rest work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

NSDR may seem like just another wellness trend, but there\u2019s some merit to it, says Chelsea Perry, doctor of dental medicine, owner of Westborough, Mass.-based\u00a0Sleep Solutions<\/a>, and member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlthough it doesn\u2019t replace actual sleep, incorporating NSDR into your routine can be a valuable tool for mental and physical restoration,\u201d she says. \u201cThe growing interest suggests it\u2019s more than just hype, especially for those seeking quick recovery in demanding lifestyles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent\u00a0research<\/a>\u00a0on yoga nidra finds the practice over time leads to changes within the brain contributing toward the desired relaxed state of mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another report<\/a>\u00a0cited neuroimaging studies indicating that yoga nidra produces changes in the release of dopamine (the \u201cpleasure hormone\u201d) and cerebral blood flow, \u201ca further confirmation that its effects on the CNS [central nervous system] are objectively measurable,\u201d as the researchers put it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also note that the practice has been shown to reduce mild\u00a0depression<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0anxiety<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of non-sleep deep rest<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNSDR offers a unique way to recharge both mentally and physically, even without actual sleep,\u201d Perry says. \u201cIt can help reduce stress by inducing a deep state of relaxation, which in turn can enhance focus and creativity.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who struggle with sleep or have busy schedules, Perry says NSDR provides an alternative method to recover and reset during the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out this video for a 10-minute NSDR yoga nidra session:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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