Do you ever have difficulty falling asleep? What about staying asleep? For some it is one or the other, or for others it’s both. My “normal” used to be both. I’d get all ready for bed, be drifting off in front of the screen in another room, get up from my comfy chair, climb into bed, close my eyes and “Boing!” I’m wide awake.
The eyes that once were so heavy they couldn’t focus are now fully open and alert. My mind starts thinking about every random and not so random thing there is. I would try to turn it off, and then it just started getting more active. If I managed to turn it off for a bit, and started to relax, then my body would start to itch, or something might get achy, the legs got restless – it was so frustrating! Sometimes it would take an hour or more to fall asleep, only to wake up a couple of hours later.
If you’ve been there, you can relate. If you haven’t, consider yourself blessed in the sleep department.
Sleep isn’t just a luxury. It’s important for your health – mental, physical, and emotional. Without good quality sleep, you can never have a truly peaceful life.
So how did I get past it? Truthfully, I still struggle at times, but not as often. I’ve learned to be more routine in what I do before bed. I make sure I don’t eat anything close to bedtime. I stop my screen time to give myself time to unwind. I focus on positive thoughts, especially taking time to reflect on good things that happened that day. I like to talk with my Creator, and leave any burdens with Him for the night. He’s so much better equipped anyway.
One big help for me is to just not worry about it. I found that the more I thought about falling asleep, the worse it got. Now, if I can’t seem to settle down, I allow my mind to drift off to happy thoughts, or play imaginary games in my head – like how I would decorate my house if there were no limits, or where I’d go on a trip. Once I get focused on the fun and imagination, I usually drift right off.
I’m a big fan of affirmations, and sleep affirmations are helpfiul. It’s not Sunday, but here is an evening affirmation I want to share with you so peaceful sleep can be yours, too! If you’re new to affirmations, please look at any of my Sunday blogs on wwwSN-LLC.com for how to practice them. Give this one a try and let me know how it works for you:
Peaceful sleep is mine each evening.
For me, a good night of sleep begins with having a full and productive day – both at work and at home. I find time to do things that fulfill me and allow me to feel that I have accomplished a lot.
Knowing that I spent the day productively puts my mind at ease and makes me feel relaxed in the evening.
My evening routine relaxes me further and prepares my mind and body for sleep.
I spend some time each night doing whatever I want. I cherish this time and use it to my advantage. Doing what I enjoy relaxes me and helps renew me for the following day.
I make my plan for the next day and then put it out of my mind. I can rest comfortably because I am confident that I have done all I can to prepare.
I avoid eating or drinking too much before bed. I also avoid caffeine or other stimulants in the evening. These things can negatively affect the quality of my sleep, so I stay away from them before bedtime.
My bed and bedroom are neat and comfortable. I arrange my bedroom in a way that pleases me. I keep it at the ideal temperature for a good night of sleep. I turn off all electronics. It is quiet and dark.
Today, I am proactive when it comes to my sleep. I establish habits that set up a peaceful night of sleep and allow me to wake up fully alert and refreshed.
Self-Reflection Questions:
1. What can I do to improve the quality of my sleep?
2. How would my life change if I slept better each night?
3. What am I doing that lessens my ability to sleep well?
Find your purpose – find your joy!
Would you like copy of Improve Your Mindset? Just click on the link – it’s my gift to you.
Did you find a few more ideas of your own? If so, I’d love to hear about them in the comments, and as always please reach out with your thoughts.
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Email: info@SerenitiesNow.com
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