Greetings Friend,

At House Nine, we understand the vital importance of rest and recovery for overall well-being. That’s why, in this Letters of Embodiment, we will look at Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) as a tool for achieving rest and rejuvenation that is easy to use even on our extra-busy days.

What is Non-Sleep Deep Rest?

NSDR allows the body to enter a relaxed state while keeping the mind active. By mimicking the effects of slow-wave sleep, NSDR can support memory retention, enhance neuroplasticity, relieve stress, increase cognitive function, improve sleep quality, and manage pain.

A Daily Tool for Rejuvenation

House Nine Wellness and Tea - Non-Sleep Deep Rest, NSDR, Hot cupping, Portland massage and tea shop, acupuncture therapy

Non-Sleep Deep Rest is a revolutionary approach to relaxation and stress reduction that has the potential to transform the way you feel daily. This technique involves intentionally entering into a state of deep rest similar to sleep, but without actually falling asleep, by using meditation, visualization, or breathwork. It allows us to unwind and relax quickly and deeply, it can also help to replace sleep that you have lost or help you quickly fall back asleep in the middle of the night.

Since NSDR can be done in as little as 10 minutes (making it easy to incorporate into a daily routine), one of the primary benefits is that it allows you to recharge and refresh your body and mind quickly. As a daily practice, NSDR is particularly useful for those who struggle with sleep issues such as insomnia or have trouble getting a full night's rest due to work or other commitments.

How to Practice NSDR

One of the most effective ways to practice Non-Sleep Deep Rest is through massage therapy. Massage has been shown to be an excellent way to relax the body and mind, and incorporating Non-Sleep Deep Rest techniques can enhance the overall benefits of the massage experience.

During a massage session, your massage therapist can guide you through various relaxation techniques such as focused breathing or visualization, helping you to achieve a state of Non-Sleep Deep Rest. This can be especially useful for those who find it difficult to relax or who have trouble letting go of stress and tension.

Levergood writes that you can also achieve NSDR through Yoga Nidra or hypnosis. Yoga Nidra is a form of guided meditation recommended by Dr. Andrew Huberman that yields a state of deep relaxation. The practice involves lying down in a comfortable position and listening to a guided meditation that directs your awareness to different parts of your body. If you can’t find a yoga nidra class, you can also use a self-guided NSDR video on youtube.

We want to acknowledge that Yoga Nidra has been used for thousands of years prior to the “up and coming” NSDR research. It is a privilege to practice yoga and it is important not to erase this ancient wisdom with Western terms and research.

Remember: You Still Need Quality Sleep!

As great as Non-Sleep Deep Rest is, it is important to remember that it is not a replacement for sleep! Rather, we should think of it as a way of reconnecting with ourselves throughout the day so we can achieve the deep rest our bodies deserve. Why not give it a try and see how Non-Sleep Deep Rest can improve your life?

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