Middle-aged woman seeks advice for ongoing insomnia and anxiety

Ans: Anxiety is a common condition, increasing in prevalence due to a fast and urban lifestyle. There are many anxiety reducing measures like, keeping a good routine, eating healthy, exercising regularly and ensuring the same time for sleep and waking up on a daily basis. Meditation/yoga/chanting are excellent practices to alleviate anxiety. In addition having a hobby one is interested in also helps. However if the anxiety is quite severe, medications may be necessary to control it for a few weeks while you can start instituting these measures. Once anxiety is in control and the lifestyle changes have been put in place, you can slowly reduce the medications.

Ans: Getting up in between and unable to sleep is due the disturbed rhythms in life.
Timely balanced meals, Adequate physical activity to experience your body as a whole and fulfilling your roles as much as you can to your best without getting identified in it.
These are some ways to get your sleep better

Ans: Mental health issues like these can be challenging to overcome, and it's not uncommon for symptoms to fluctuate over time. It could be beneficial to revisit your treatment plan with your psychologist. Sometimes, adjustments to medication dosage or therapy techniques may be necessary to better address your symptoms. Your psychologist might suggest trying different therapeutic approaches or techniques that could be more effective for your specific needs. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapy, or even lifestyle changes like exercise and diet adjustments can sometimes help manage symptoms Recovery from anxiety, depression, and fear can be a gradual process, and it's essential to be patient with yourself. Set realistic expectations and acknowledge the progress you've made, even if it's incremental. there's no fixed timeline for overcoming mental health challenges, and everyone's journey is unique. It's essential to continue working closely with your psychologist and healthcare team to find strategies that work best for you. With persistence, support, and the right resources, it's possible to manage and improve your mental health over time.

Ans: Sleep is very important for physiological system to function well. To have certain strict discipline with respect to sleep as hygienic practices is very important
No media or mind stimulating activities after 7 pm unwind from worldly activities from 8 pm
Slow down the pace and start preparing the sleep mode
Early dinner by 6 pm helps to achieve this
Exercise well with your physical it helps largely

Ans: Experiencing anxiety, breathing difficulties, and insomnia together can feel overwhelming, but gentle yoga and breathing practices can provide relief by calming the mind and balancing the body. Here’s what you can do:

1. Breathing Exercises:
Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing): Sit comfortably. Close your right nostril with your thumb and inhale through the left nostril. Close the left nostril with your ring finger and exhale through the right nostril. Repeat for 5-10 minutes. This calms the mind and balances energy.
Deep Belly Breathing: Place one hand on your stomach. Slowly inhale deeply through your nose, allowing your belly to rise, and exhale completely. Practice for 5 minutes to ease anxiety.
2. Meditation Method:
Guided Body Scan Meditation: Lie down and focus on each part of your body, releasing tension as you go. This helps in relaxing your nervous system and promoting sleep.
3. Yogic Mudra:
Gyan Mudra: Touch the tips of your index finger and thumb, keeping the other fingers straight. Practice this mudra during meditation or breathing exercises for mental calmness.
For better results and personalized guidance, consult a yoga coach. They can create a practice suited to your needs.

R. Pushpa, M.Sc (Yoga)
Online Yoga & Meditation Coach
Radiant YogaVibes
https://www.instagram.com/pushpa_radiantyogavibes/