Our home was like a children's book plot last night! A family of raccoons were playing under a little bridge near the dog's fenced area, which kept our not-a-baby-anymore-but still-acts-like-one, Quinn, barking all night! Finally, at 1 am I put a leash on him and got back in bed falling asleep with him attached to my wrist.

Somewhere over the last three years, I developed this technique -I tell Quinn he's 'grounded' and as soon as he quiets down I eventually remove the leash. I think I am taking the stress of 'dealing' with the raccoons away from him and he can calm down.

So, naturally, I woke at %:30 as usual feeling stressed and sleep deprived. After coffee and getting husband off I tried to sleep, sadly with Quinn grounded again! I rarely am able to sleep in the morning and this morning was no different! I finally put on my headphones and played my Yoga Nidra file. If you need a method to relax, this is it!

I got my Yoga Nidra from Audible it's by Xenia Splawinski, I find her voice soothing. I think her CD is also on Amazon! The practice puts you into a very relaxed rest and if you don't fall asleep (very common, lol) you will finish feeling like you have slept for hours.

First she has you relax, then you repeat your mantra or goal. Next, she guides you through your body, "feel your shoulder, side, waist, hips, etc." then some breathing exercises before you finally are done. I don't worry if I do fall asleep, I figure I need it.

My husband is not into yoga or meditation but he loves Yoga Nidra and falls asleep each time!

So, now I am relaxed, ready to get on with my day and my beasts are all sleeping! HUH!

If you need a new stress buster, you should try it! There are free versions online you can google or on youtube but I find some of the other voices too harsh for me to relax completely.