What is non-sleep deep rest? (NSDR)

Non-sleep deep rest (NSDR) is an umbrella term for practices that guide you into deep relaxation while you remain awake. 1

1. Examples: NSDR includes yoga nidra and hypnosis, and can involve practices such as meditation, guided body scans, and slow, exhale-focused breathing. 2
2. Potential benefits: It may help you relax, support sleep and alertness, and restore dopamine availability. 3 4
3. Learning: A 20-minute NSDR period after a roughly 90-minute learning bout has been associated with faster learning and better retention. 5
4. No special equipment: It is a behavioral practice that requires no device or substance. 6