Non Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR)
Non-sleep deep rest, or yoga nidra, is the kind of rest you get when your body is in a relaxed state, but your mind is still awake.
NSDR involves slowing down your brain wave frequency, similar to what happens during sleep, only that in this case you’re awake.
NSDR follows two steps:
- a self-induced state of rest
- followed by a period of directed, intense focus.
This is a powerful way to relax quickly and deeply. It can be done any time, as long as you’re in a position to achieve deep relaxation. It’s important to practice NSDR in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed.
The term NSDR was coined by renowned Stanford neuroscientist and researcher Andrew Huberman PhD. According to Dr. Huberman, certain experiences can put the body in a restorative state, similar to sleep.
NSDR works by slowing down the brain waves, similar to what happens during slow-wave sleep (SWS).