A new study published by JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that weekly guided meditation for sleep helps mild sleep disturbances and reduces daytime fatigue. Study volunteers participated in either “mindfulness awareness practices” (guided meditation for sleep and mindfulness) or “sleep hygiene education” (lectures discussing better sleep) and both groups were evaluated for sleep quality and other sleep-related symptoms. The group participating in “mindfulness awareness practices” showed more and faster improvement than their “sleep hygiene education” counterparts. Participants in guided meditation showed improved sleep quality as well as fewer depression and fatigue symptoms.
The researchers concluded that “mindfulness meditation appears to have a role in addressing the prevalent burden of sleep problems… by remediating… moderate sleep disturbances and deficits in daytime functioning.” Guided meditation for sleep has the added benefit of being free of negative side effects and can be done at home with no special equiptment. Other research has shown meditation to relieve symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, which may also improve sleep.
For more information about the study, click here.
To download guided meditations for sleep, click here.