So many people struggle to get a good night's sleep. Most of us know that we need sleep to feel healthy and ready to take on the day! We know that when we don't get good sleep, we feel foggy and irritable.
We have all heard of basic ideas for sleep - exercise daily, a cup of tea, get off screens, soothing sounds, a dark room, but let's talk about this a little more...
Here are some things to consider when seeking a good night's sleep:
* think about your bedtime "routine" as the 1-2 hours before bed. This is the time block that your mind needs to prepare for sleep. So think about what you are doing with THAT 1-2 hours of your day. Are you frantically cleaning your house for the next day? Are you watching the latest crime series? Are you fighting with your kids about chores and their bedtime? Be mindful of what you put into those 60-120 minutes of your day.
* Give yourself time to reflect on the day and any other thoughts still floating around in your head. Allow your mind to get what it wants - It wants to think about the day and the leftover worries. Don't push these out of your mind so fast... let yourself have the thoughts first. Maybe write them down, maybe keep a journal, try meditating. You cant move on in peace until you feel what your mind wants you to feel.
* Allow your mind to enjoy an activity that has nothing to do with your reality. Escape into something pleasant and enjoyable. Maybe read or listen to a fictional novel, color, do a puzzle
* Be purposefully positive. Our world often fills us up with stressful or negative things. Just turn on the news and you'll see what I mean! It is in our nature to lean toward the negative around us. Our mind needs a constant reminder to feel positive. Maybe you write down what you're grateful for, maybe you get a gratitude journal, or listen to a book or podcast about positive, personal development.