Do you ever retire for the night, crawl into bed, and think about how this is the best part of your day?  The part of your day, when you have “permission” to give the gift of sleep and rest to yourself.  Sleep is such an important aspect of maintaining a healthy body as well as a healthy mind.  Giving yourself “permission” to “let go” of the day’s events and give only to yourself in the form of sleep is one of the best things that you can do for one’s self.

Sleep seems so simple, and yet for many, it is not “the best time of the day,” but rather the time when the long, nights begin.  For many, who have difficulties sleeping, they begin to hate nights.  Although they may be extremely tired, they know what lies ahead.  They know with each passing sleepless hour, they have one less hour to “recharge” themselves.  They know that others are sleeping, and yet as badly as they need the sleep, they cannot let their body fall into that deep state of rest.

Sleep is nearly as important as the air that you breathe. Sleep is the body’s way of “shutting down” and entering a state of relaxation.  Along, with letting the body do its nightly “repair work,”  the mind is busy doing “repair work” of its own.  The mind enters a state of dreaming where anything is possible.  Events can be worked out in the “imaginary world” of a dream and processed within the mind – often times without any recollection when you awake.

Okay, so everyone who cannot sleep is saying, “I know sleep is important, but what can I do to get a full night’s sleep?”  This question is one that does not have a simple “one size fits all answer.”  For some, it may be a lack of oxygen that is preventing sleep, for others it might be a “racing mind.”  There are many causes for sleep issues.  The issues caused by “mind activity” are issues that we can address.

The first thing we would suggest is that before you turn out the light to roll over and sleep, you set an intention on the night.  “It is my intention that I sleep throughout the night.  If I should awake I am able to keep my mind quiet until I am ready to return to sleep.”  Or, “it is my intention to sleep throughout the night.  I have worked hard, and I understand that there is no problem that cannot wait until morning for me to tackle.  There is no need for me to attempt to remember the forgotten tasks, or to think about the looming issues in my life.  I have earned this rest and understand that it is important to me and those around me for me to have a full night of sleep.”

Many times we see people who cannot sleep because they awaken during the night and then let the “chatter of their mind” take over.  At that point, they remember all of the things they forgot to do during the day.  As the stress begins to build they either get up and work on those things or fret about them throughout the night preventing a good night of rest.

When you find yourself in that situation, restate your intention over and over in your mind.  Focusing your efforts and thoughts on your intention.  If you are giving yourself “permission” to sleep you need to actually believe in your heart that it is okay for you to sleep.   Giving into the “racing mind” is only going to prevent more sleep.   Understand that you truly deserve to sleep and that everyone who is a part of your life would like you to sleep as well.  They would rather have you sleep then to finish an unfinished task either literally or in your mind.

Let go of the world around you, and let yourself rest.  Let yourself have the peace that you so deserve.  If you need to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, then keep your mind “turned off” during that time.   Open your eyes just enough to avoiding falling or bumping into things.  Keep the lights dim, and focus on recall of your dream.  That will give you something to “think about” during those few minutes.

Dreaming is a wonderful thing.  Although often times confusing, dreams can help you see things in a different way. Much how a painter looks at a canvas, a dream can give you different perspectives on your life. When you awake in the middle of the night, or first thing in the morning, you have the best opportunity for dream recall.  Literally work on “pulling your dream”  from the deep part of your memory, and bring it back to the foreground.  Dreams are there for you to remember, but often times you need to make a conscious effort to bring it into your memory.  It is best to attempt to recall your dreams before thinking about anything else.

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Sleep is a gift that only you can give to yourself.   Accept the gift of sleep, for you have earned it.  You are worthy of each gift that the universe presents to you, but it is up to you to accept those gifts and understand that you are truly worthy.

Written Fri 1/24/14 9:18 – 9:41 AM