
The Surprising Connection Between Sleep and Your Pelvic Floor
Have you ever considered that the key to a more restful sleep might lie in your pelvic floor muscles? According to Alyssa Burkitt, DPT, a pelvic floor physical therapist, there’s a surprising link between your pelvic floor, breathing, and overall sleep quality. Essentially, your pelvic floor plays a crucial role in the body's core system, working in tandem with your diaphragm and deep abdominal muscles. When stress causes these muscles to tighten, your whole body's balance is disturbed.
A Bedtime Pelvic Floor Routine for Deep Relaxation
Alyssa Burkitt has designed a 10-minute routine that syncs breathing with pelvic floor movements, helping alleviate muscle tension and promoting relaxation, all from the comfort of your bed. The goal is to gently encourage muscle relaxation through mindful breathing and targeted exercises, ensuring your body is ready for a peaceful night's rest. It's important that these exercises feel comfortable and easy, emphasizing restorative breathing as the foundation of relaxation.
Actionable Steps You Can Take Right Now
Begin by practicing diaphragmatic breathing, which involves the diaphragm and pelvic floor working together in natural harmony. As you inhale, allow your pelvic floor to gently lengthen, and as you exhale, let it lift naturally. Keep movements gentle and maintain focus on your breath. If any exercise feels uncomfortable, listen to your body and skip it. With consistency, these practices help restore balance, improving not just your sleep but overall wellness.
Unique Benefits of These Exercises
Applying these exercises brings notable advantages. Not only do they enhance relaxation and sleep quality, but they also help manage stress and align the body's core systems more effectively. Understanding and engaging in these practices could lead to better sleep hygiene and overall health improvements, making life both energized and restful.
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