Rejuvenating Sleep
When people experience an inadequate amount of sleep during the hours their body is supposed to be recharging or resting then this is called sleep deprivation. There are several risk factors that can contribute to a night of loss sleep
anxiety | stress *
Irregular working hours | careers with longs hours
work that requires long-distance travel
working multiple jobs
being a family caregiver*
change in lifestyle such as new baby | new parents
Even though life is filled with hectic schedules, life events with beautiful weddings, warm welcomes of adoption, the woefulness in the passing of a loved one, and the battle for your own personal health; sleep is considered to be vital to the natural order of human life. It is not every day that we are reminded of how magnificent our life can be especially when it feels like it is constantly being smothered with obligations whiter we place on ourselves or pseudo obligations placed on us by the surrounding environment.
As powerful beings, we must internally remind ourselves that anything and everything we can think of can come to reality if we follow the natural order of what rejuvenates us. Our source of rejuvenation and often where our greatest ideas come from is when we are well-rested. Listed below are five best tips to help ease you into sleep and possibly you in a new lifestyle.
UNWIND Give your self-time to unwind from your day, typically 30-45 mins. Honestly, take your time because your body needs to transition to a calm state so it may take more or less time. If that means running a hot bath, steamy shower| sauna, ten-minute yoga, sitting in a quiet area for a few minutes to read or glass of wine or two depending on the day you had.
MEDITATE This can be used for a moment of prayer to call upon the heavens to give you the strength to keep on working. Or simply a moment of silence, this is the time to regain control of your mind and racing thoughts, if it helps write them in a daily journal. This is your time to purge your stream of consciousness so you are ready to rest for the night.
TURNOFF ELECTRONICS Even though technology has certainly come a long way the fact is we are still made from organic matter and we are not robots at least I think so... Our brain is a super-intelligent organ and responds to different wave lights produced in our electronic devices which can keep you stimulated during the day. Turning off those devices helps the body to not chemically react to the light therefore allowing the body to produce more serotonin to help with sleep.
BEDTIME ROUTINE Being able to have a routine helps your body understand to be prepared for sleep. If you are familiar with Ivan Pavlov's classical conditioning, set up a system where can essentially train yourself to sleep. Not to mention the designer in me is screaming a new mattress might remedy your sleepless night…overnight. Researchers state that people spend over half their lives in bed, so it is certainly worth it..sleeping on the idea, OK, I will stop.
HERBS lavender, Chamomile, Rosemary, Hops, and Mugwort in a sachet under your pillow or close by where you can still smell it will aid in your efforts to fall asleep.
May you have a more restful night.
