Sleep is such a beautiful thing.
It allows us to fully recover after a long day.
It’s not just about getting that much needed rest; it’s all about being able to recalibrate our body, mind and soul in the process so we may be ready to start all over again at our best the next day.
Sounds divine and easy, right?
Not quite though.
MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION:
How do you sleep when you’re stressed and anxious?
Is that even possible, you may ask.
Which, if I may say, is common nowadays amidst the pandemic.
Let’s face it, it’s not easy living with fear about the uncertain future that we have.
Seeing a lot of rising infected cases, businesses closing, people losing jobs daily while becoming prisoners of our own homes one way or another, are contributing to the stress on our mental health.
And the thing about it is that: we tend to reflect before bed time, so you can imagine the experience all together.
Instead of finally enjoying your quiet, comfortable space, your mind races with noisy thoughts about various things and situations, most of which beyond your control.
And guess what: you indulge in them, and allow yourself to waddle in worry instead of journeying towards Lala land.
I can totally relate to this when the pandemic started and when community quarantine measures are changed every now and then. The agony of waiting anxiously, the stress involved when trying to assess my next steps and the worry that goes for those who will be greatly affected once more, myself included — all these and more have become so familiar to me.
Trust me, the implications of having lack of peaceful, luxurious sleep are definite deal breakers — having a bad mood, feeling groggy, lessened productivity, slow processing — just to name a few, all of which detrimental to you becoming your own #bestmeever .
Until, I have finally decided to do something about it.
1. Disconnect Intentionally
Uhuh. Take this to heart please: there’s life outside of social media. Outside of Netflix. Outside of work. Outside of toxic relationships. And the life that stems genuinely from a secured space within, is the best one there is. Take that much needed time off from all things you’ve gotten used to (and those which triggered you) and allow yourself to journey within at the end of the day. Remember, it’s all about you this time around.
2. Write Down Your Thoughts
I swear. Journaling can do wonders for you. When you write down your thoughts you are able to process them better. Pour out your emotions, voice out your concerns. And allow probable solutions to pop up. Just keep on writing — it helps declutter your mind in the process and allow you to understand and accept your current space. Oh and don’t focus too much on your writing style. Consider this as a mental dump. So anything goes. Words, scribbles, drawings…whatever works for you.
3. Meditate
Don’t underestimate the value of taking a step back and reflecting about your current space. The key here is to find a comfortable space (I like surrounding myself with pillows), set the right mood by playing soft, instrumental music, having nice dim lighting (I use my blue light when I meditate), use scented oils and allow yourself to just be present in the moment. As you meditate, be mindful about the things you can control and the those you can’t. After which, follow the golden rule — if it doesn’t help you grow, let go. By calming your anxiety and consciously reducing your stress, you prepare yourself for a good night’s sleep.
This is my favorite part after meditating. I get to see things clearly so appreciating what went right during the day becomes easier. Simple joys become larger than life and significant events in the past which bring about feelings of joy and happiness come to surface with this conscious act. I stare at the ceiling while hugging my pillows as I do this and I noticed that I tend to squeeze them harder when I truly let gratitude flow through my body freely. Oh and yes, I notice that I actually smile a lot in the process.
5. Visualize Your Ideal Tomorrow
This goes hand in hand with counting your blessings. When you’re finally in a happy and grateful state, it will be easier for you to picture out the ideal outcome for the next day. The thing here to remember though is apart from just creating a mental picture, consider “feeling” the entire experience — what emotions do you think you will have if your ideal outcome materializes? Allow yourself to be in that exact moment so that you have something to look forward to and that you will be able to sleep better on a happy note.
I hope that I was able to help you out guys who want to sleep better when stressed out and anxious.
At the end of the day, best thing to remember is that: a good night’s sleep is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself. Know that you deserve it and that you are very much worthy to enjoy each and every moment as you doze off to dreamland.
So don’t let anything (or anyone) make you think otherwise.
Sleep tight, beautiful.
