Erase fatigue with meditation or yoga - Ask the experts: answers to your questions from the leaders in natural medicine - Brief Article

I've read that if I meditate or do yoga, I don't need as much sleep. Is that true, and how could it be possible?

JUDITH HANSON LASATER, PH.D., REPLIES: Many people find that when they practice meditation or yoga they sleep fewer hours than usual but feel energized. I believe this happens because these practices relieve fatigue. You can feel fatigue after sitting all day at a computer or taking a long exam. You haven't exerted yourself physically, but your body may feel stiff and your mind may feel dull. You might think you need lots of sleep, but that may not be the case.

Meditation helps revive you because it relieves the fatigue that often results from stressful days. Being quiet and mindful of the present helps you disconnect from the flurry of your thoughts, inducing a restful state.

Yoga can also help relieve mental fatigue, because it forces you to concentrate on one thing at a time. Stretching your body and improving your posture with yoga poses can also improve your respiratory efficiency, which is partly responsible for reducing muscle tension and promoting relaxation.

The next time you feel fatigued, try one of these relaxation techniques. To do a simple meditation, sit comfortably in a chair and elongate your spine. Place your arms on your lap or on a folded blanket on your lap so there is no strain in your shoulders, and slightly drop your chin. Focus on the flow of your breath for five to 20 minutes.

These easy yoga moves can also help. Stretch your arms above your head and clasp your fingers. Bend to one side and then the other as you breathe easily. Do this for two to three breaths per side. Or lie down on your back in a quiet place, supporting the back of your knees with a pillow or rolled blanket and your head and neck with a pillow. Cover your eyes with a light cloth and breathe naturally for five to 5 minutes.

These techniques can help reduce your fatigue, and you may notice that you need less sleep to feel refreshed. However, if you're sick or you've been physically exerting yourself, you need sleep.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group