I’ve always been a night owl. There’s something about those late hours — when the world quiets and the veil between things thins — that stirs my creativity. When life allows, I love riding that wave just to see where it takes me.
Even as a child, I slept little and at odd hours. There’s a kind of magic in that witching hour — when ideas and intuition seem to flow straight from the ether.
But I’ve learned over the years that it’s only magical when it’s by choice — not when I’m running on empty.
Because sleep deprivation is brutal. I know this intimately. My irregular sleep patterns eventually grew into full-blown insomnia.
Not being able to sleep touches everything. You can’t think clearly. You react instead of respond. You start leaning on caffeine just to make it through the day. Over time, it frays the nervous system, making it harder and harder to feel grounded or calm.
So after decades of experimenting, I’ve created my own “shutdown sequence” — a sacred evening ritual that helps my body recognize: It’s time to rest.
🕯️ Your Sunday Slowdown Ritual: Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose
This simple yet powerful posture, Viparita Karani, is one of my favorite bedtime resets.
How to do it:
Lay on your back with your legs up a wall — or rest your feet on the edge of your bed while lying on the floor. They don’t need to be perfectly straight; about a 90-degree bend is ideal. Stay here for 3–5 minutes, breathing slowly and deeply.
Why it works (the science):
This gentle inversion supports venous return — helping blood and lymph flow back toward your heart. It reduces lower-body tension, eases circulation, and tells your parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” mode) that you’re safe.
As stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline decrease, your heart rate slows, and your body begins its natural descent toward sleep.
It’s a physiological and energetic reset — a bridge between doing and being.
Make it a ritual:
✨ Turn off bright lights and light a candle.
🎶 Play a slow, soothing song.
🌿 Add a drop of lavender oil to your wrists or pillow.
💭 Imagine your thoughts settling down from your mind into your heart, and then melting into the earth beneath you.
💤 When you feel your breath deepen, crawl into bed and surrender.
Let rest come as a blessing, not a battle.
If your body has been craving rest, start here. One pose. One candle. One song.
It’s not about perfection — it’s about remembering that slowing down is sacred.
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