Sleeping Well

1. 

   "Persistent insomnia becomes more common as we age.  It's a risk factor for weight gain and can disrupt the body's regulation of blood sugar, can affect cognitive function and increase stress hormone levels."  Dr. Andrew Weil
   
   

   A way to improve your sleep, according to Dr. Weil, is to do a relaxation technique when you get into bed.  His technique is to exhale through your mouth, close your mouth and inhale through your nose for a count of 4, hold your breath for 7 counts, exhale for 8 counts, and repeat the sequence 3 times.  

   
   

   I personally have also found that it helps me to do some yoga stretches before getting into bed, especially the cat and cow sequence and the cobra.  Both of these relax my lower back, which enables me to fall to sleep more easily.