Personal Experiment: I Did Yoga Nidra Daily for 2 Weeks - Here’s What Happened
I’ll be honest, I haven’t always found rest easy. Like many people, I’m far more comfortable doing than simply being. But over time, I’ve learned that real rest isn’t just about collapsing in front of the telly - it’s about consciously switching off, softening the body and allowing the mind to slow down.
That’s where Yoga Nidra comes in.
Sometimes called ‘yogic sleep’, Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation done lying down, where the body enters a deep state of rest, but the mind remains gently aware. It's been shown to improve sleep, lower stress, and support emotional resilience - and I’d used it here and there over the years.
But I’d been feeling so tired and wired lately, I decided to go all in. And practice yoga nidra every day, for two weeks!
Here’s what happened.
What I Committed To
To keep it simple and realistic, I made the following plan:
Duration: 20 minutes per day
Time of day: Either after lunch or in the evening, before bed
Type: Guided recordings (a mix of my own and others I enjoy)
Rules: Phone on silent, no multitasking, just lie down and listen - adding an eye pillow really helps me to block out the light and get in the zone
No pressure to "do it perfectly" - just show up and press play.
The First Few Days
On the first night, I noticed just how busy my mind was. My body relaxed quickly, but my thoughts took longer to settle. By day three, I was already starting to look forward to the practice - even if I drifted off halfway through. (Setting an alarm for an afternoon practice became essential!)
Small wins started appearing: I was falling asleep faster and waking up a little less groggy.
End of Week One
By the end of the first week, the biggest shift was in my nervous system. I felt noticeably calmer in the evenings - less reactive, less fidgety, more content to do nothing at all.
There were still moments when I caught myself mentally writing to-do lists during the practice, but I stopped judging that. It was part of the process.
End of Week Two
In week two, something deeper clicked. I began to enter a dreamy, half-aware state within a minute or two of lying down - my body remembering how to rest.
I slept more soundly, even on nights when I felt mentally unsettled
I had more emotional space during the day - less overwhelm, more ease
My creativity returned (I had three new ideas for my yoga classes just after a session)
It wasn’t dramatic or showy. It was quiet, cumulative, and very real.
What Surprised Me the Most
The most unexpected thing? Yoga Nidra became something I craved - not just something I ticked off. There was a deep relief in having 20 minutes where I didn’t need to try, think, or achieve.
I also noticed how the practice gently invited reflection - sometimes old memories surfaced, or insights bubbled up without effort. It felt like a safe container for whatever needed to be processed.
Will I Keep Going?
Absolutely. I might not manage every single day, but it’s now a core part of how I look after myself - especially during busy or stressful times.
If you're someone who struggles to switch off, finds meditation hard, or simply needs deeper rest, I honestly can’t recommend Yoga Nidra enough.
That’s why I’ve created my very own 2 week Yoga Nidra challenge - so you can hopefully experience all the great benefits of a regular yoga nidra practice.
This October I’ll be running a 14-Day Yoga Nidra Challenge 🌙:
Two weeks of short daily practices
Designed to help you rest, recharge, and reset
Included free for members, or £69 as a standalone programme
It’s the perfect way to experience the benefits of yoga nidra for yourself
