Here are a few stretches I love to do before bed. This routine is super simple and effective!

I'm sure you all are well aware of how important sleep is, and for many of us it can be hard to wind down and get ready for bed. All of us are experiencing all kinds of different stressors that can keep us in a heightened mental and emotions state, which in turn triggers your sympathetic nervous system, that fight or flight feeling. But did you know that static stretching can fire up the parasympathetic nervous system, or the rest and digest state? Because guess what, it can!

When this happens, it can help you relax and get to sleep more easily. Add on a simple deep breathing exercise and you'll be more than ready for bed. So try this out tonight and let me know how it goes in the comments below.

All you need to do is put on some comfy pj's, maybe play some relaxing music, dim your lights, and hold each stretch for about 10 slow deep belly breaths.

Scroll down for the full directions.

• Posterior Hip Stretch - Place the ankle onto the bed, putting your hip into external rotation. Hinge at the hips and lean forward. If this is too intense, place a pillow or folded up blanket under the knee for extra support.

• Hip Flexor Stretch - Place one knee on the bed and squeeze your glutes, and tuck the pelvis. Lean into the stretch. If you need more stretch, flex the knee and grab onto the ankle.

• Neck & Trap Stretch - With arms behind your back, use one hand to hold onto the wrist of the opposite arm and pull down. Send the ear towards the opposite shoulder.

• Lats & Back Stretch - Sit in extended child's pose (sitting on the heels, knees wide, arms outstretched in front of you) but reach one arm across the body.

• Thoracic Spine Stretch - Lay on your side, knees bent, twist out and send the top arm towards the opposite side, you can anchor your knees with your bottom hand.