“How did you sleep last night?”

“Not very well.”

“Really?  Why not?”

“I was thinking too much.”

“What were you thinking about?”

“I don’t know, my mind was racing and I could not get it to settle down.”

Ω

When we finish our day, we need to allow for ourselves to “let down.”  When we “let down” we need to free our minds from the knots of thoughts that may be consuming us.   We may be going through some stressful times at school, work, or home.  We may be having financial, health or relationship issues.  We may be going through some “big” things, or we may be going through relatively “normal” things in our life.

Many people process all of these thoughts when they lie down to retire for the night.  Rather than sleeping, they toss and turn, remembering things that they once forgot, and being afraid they will forget to remember something when they awake in the morning.   Some  people then might pick up their electronic gizmo and play a game, check their messages, etc., in an attempt to bore themselves to sleep.

Sleep is very important and is not something we need to convince someone who cannot sleep to do.  What you might consider is to come up with a process for “winding down” before you go to bed.   For example, you might take a bath or shower, if that will make you feel fresh and clean.  You might make your bed nice and tight so the sheets are smooth and fresh.  You might  get completely ready for bed, and then find a place to sit quietly in meditation.

If you allow yourself to have a special place for your “thinking” and the quieting of your mind, you can reserve your bed for sleeping.  Take as long as you need to quiet your mind.  Convince yourself that the day is over and you have done everything that you can do, and will be able to do for now.  Let yourself have permission to sleep, and truly believe that sleep is the best thing for you in the upcoming hours.

If you believe that you might be able to do more things during the night, you will not allow yourself to sleep.  When you decide it is time to sleep, keep all electronics off in the bedroom.  Do not just check your messages one more time, for that will negate all of the work you just put forth to clear your mind and “shut it down” for the night.  Do not turn on the television to bombard your body with laugh tracks, cynicism in late night talk shows, or the so-called “news.”

If you have a good book that you are reading which helps keep your mind in a “happy state” by all means feel free to partake.  However, you must remain in a state of peace, and calm.  You must be able to let the ego sleep, and let the fears and stresses of your life be still.   Remember, it is up to you to get control of your thoughts so that you can think the thoughts that bring happiness and joy.

InspiraCard

Find a nightly routine to practice so that you may go to sleep and stay sleeping throughout the night.  Much like a basketball player shoots a free throw, the exact same way each time, no matter the situation – you need to follow that routine the same way each night.   Let yourself enjoy the sleep you so deserve and watch the stresses of the day melt away from your life!

Written Thu, Sep 18, 2014 8:04 – 8:19 AM MT