Insomnia is defined as an inability to fall asleep and/or an inability to stay asleep. Occasionally we may all suffer from a bad nights sleep due to stress or pain, but insomnia can become chronic, lasting for months making you so exhausted it is hard to function. Lack of sleep is linked to mood swings, weight gain and weakened immunity and science is now finding that it is linked to even more severe problems, such as tumor growth, memory loss and chronic inflammation.
Routine
It is important that you go to bed at the same time every night to start to program your brain with a regular rhythm and create a ritual that you do every night when you get into bed, which will let your brain know that sleep time is coming!
Hop into bed with a pen and notebook and write down 3 things you are grateful for. They can be simple things such as I am grateful I am now in bed! This gratitude exercise will help your mind focus on the positive things in your life, rather than lying there worrying, which may stop you falling asleep.
Then repeat the following affirmations 3 times each:
- I let go. I trust all is well.
- I allow others to be responsible for themselves
- I am safe and secure and allow myself to recharge.
You can expand or personalize these affirmations, but what is important is that you say the same ones every night. Write them down next to your bed if you need a prompt.
If you find it hard to create your own ritual there are lots of free meditations on Youtube or similar sites that can help you relax and unwind so pop one on and snuggle down.
Avoid watching TV or using the ipad or phone at night and also cut down on caffeine and sugar. Coffee can still affect you ten hours after consumption, so even your morning coffee may be making it harder for you to fall asleep. Try decaff coffee to start to ween yourself off and then move to a herbal caffeine free drink instead.
I love using essential oils as part of my nighttime ritual, but although Lavender is said to be a great one for sleep, I don’t especially like the smell of it and it never seems to test up with muscle testing for my clients who have insomnia either. I get better results with sandalwood, orange or vetiver oils. One drop on a tissue can then be inhaled as you relax in bed. Don’t drop oils directly on the pillow as they may stain your pillowslip.
If you are still finding it hard to sleep, then having a Kinesiology treatment can be a good way of exploring emotional issues that could be affecting you. Going to sleep means trusting that the world can go on without you and it is safe to go to sleep. You may be in a position of responsibility, with children or work and it may be hard to let go.
Do you find it hard to trust that your family or your business would be ok if you were not there? Maybe you need some professional support to release anxiety?
Our Calm Energy Mist is also available to help you to help you create a bedtime routine and is packed with crystal elixirs, flower essences and essential oils to help you sleep and rest. You can read more about how it works here: CALM MIST
We also offer a in depth deep guide to sleeping well through our online training course: Getting A Good Night’s Sleep – Naturally!
Sweet dreams!