Sleeping Is Not Overrated

You can thank me later if you wish. In the spirit of setting realistic new years resolutions, goals and/or systems (depending on how you flow) around (finally, or consistently) getting a great nights sleep; this article is born out of that need, and on what you can do to help you get a great nights sleep. Sleeping well at night has to be a priority, yet there are activities (resolutions) that we need to do in order to be much kinder to ourselves in the process.

A cause causes a certain effect. If you end up engaging in an activity (for example, a job that is not right for you, and/or by not saying no to invitations when you need to) that causes you some stress (even mild stress), then you are going to have some challenges in getting some quality shut eye.

Sleeping well is the body's way to repair itself day in and day out. When you have been away from home for prolonged periods of time, for whatever reason; you find that you appreciate your bed more and more, even if you slept in the most luxurious beds in the most luxurious hotels...there is nothing like your own bed. This is true. There is a five-star hotel in Melbourne, Australia that sell their beds to their guests, and this was born out of the feedback from their guests commenting on how comfortable and luxurious their beds really are.

I am sure that the majority of you reading this have slept in all different types of beds, or even on a mattress on the floor, as well as in a camping tent, wrapped around a sleeping bag. In my student days, yours truly also found peers sleeping on massage tables, sofas (like couch surfing) and yoga mats, yet still managed to sleep well.

From personal experience, when you are unable to sleep, you will do anything that you can in order to gain a great nights sleep. From someone who was unable to sleep for six months in a row back while studying for a college degree; sleeping well at night was overrated at first, yet it is far from that actually. When you attend hospital (after seeing a sleep physician) to listen to two hour lectures a week on learning how to sleep from two sleep psychologists, in addition to submitting a sleep diary (a manual process, and before smartphones and smart watches were introduced) - you quickly realise that good old fashioned rest is not a luxury, but rather a necessity. This is why people who are unwell, and/or who have some form of infection need more sleep than others. You hear of some people that speak about only needing four hours of sleep a night, like it is a trophy accomplishment; yet we are all wired differently. We are all different. The blog on the Lull website, a place where you can buy quality sleep accessories from mattresses to pillows is a strong champion to sleep being a necessity beyond the sales and marketing processes.

If you do not rest; the odds of getting burnt out are stacked higher in your favour. This happened to yours truly back in September 2019, and although the recovery came upon quickly, there are regular moments where fatigue is still rife; and resolutions, goals, and systems around rest cannot be ignored, or shoved in that pigeon hole for later. Not anymore. You can drink warm milk before bed, and eliminate screen time a couple of hours beforehand, while also applying a bit of lavender oil on your pillow - yet sleeping well at night goes deeper than that. Yes it is important to have the right pillows and mattresses, yet there are restful activities that you can do during the day that not only help ground you, but also help you sleep at night.

Apart from sleeping well, 2022 (this year, as at the time of writing this) is the year of sleeping well, as so many shifts and changes are happening globally; and that alone requires a healthy amount of energy and rest to cope with, so to not buy into any fears, while being true and authentic to yourself, while you cope with other personal responsibilities that life throws your way.

Inspiration was gained from the YouTube channel called Law of Attraction Solutions in setting such resolutions in order to promote and encourage rest, and a natural nights sleep.

Firstly, this year (2022, as at the time of writing this) has many twos in it, and numerology says that 2022 will be a six year. This means being kind to yourself and to others. Due to the majority of us (if not virtually all of us) spending the last two years in isolation; we need to work on and build our personal and business relationships more than ever. If you wish to start a new business, or if you have a job, and you do not intend on quitting that job, then now is a great time to find a suitable business partner who is in a similar circumstance to you, of who has complimentary skill sets. For example, if you wanted to launch a new app, and you are great at marketing; then greater leverage is found in seeking a likeminded business partner who is great at computer programming for instance. Time is saved, and that means more time for sleep than if you were doing it alone. It takes two to tango. Having an extra shoulder to lean on in the tough and dark times is everything, and it does take a massive load off your shoulders; thereby helping you to gain a better nights sleep. The energy is right to invest in personal relationships again at all levels, including the romantic ones.

Humility and gratitude is also an important practice in gaining a great nights sleep. In addition to setting aside 15 minutes a day to be quiet and still in peaceful meditation; yours truly has invested in a gratitude journal. Be humble. If you spend a bit of time (it is free of charge, and only takes a few minutes a day) in writing down at least five things you are grateful for (of what is going great guns) in your life; the focus shifts towards a positive attitude of appreciation. You will be less inclined to watch the news, or be involved in any other form of negativity, including drama and gossip. For sure, mishaps and setbacks are part and parcel of life; yet even being grateful for the fact that you have a bed to sleep in at night (size and comfort is relative) is also enough in prioritising rest. Spending a few minutes on this task is a restful activity in itself. Gratitude means having a great attitude, and what you focus on ultimately expands. Being grateful for more things (gratitude being the great multiplier) enhances the quality of your life, and happier people generally sleep better at night.

I don't know about you, yet the energies of isolation and quarantine, of what we had to endure in 2020 and 2021 is a dark and dirty energy. This is why it is an absolute priority to walk and move that precious temple (body) of yours outside, and I do not mean anywhere. Mother nature wants us to connect with our earth. This means walking barefoot (watch out for glass) on the lush green grass at the local park or public gardens, and/or barefoot on the sand at the beach. When we move our bodies adequately, they will need that rest. Spending time in nature while doing such is a form of rest. Stopping and (literally) smelling the roses enables our minds to slow down, and to stop and be present while appreciating the now for what it is. Bushwalking is also nourishing, as well as swimming and surfing in the ocean. Walking along a waterfront is also beneficial and soothing. This resolution towards gaining a great nights sleep in 2022 and beyond is so dear to my heart. It is natural, and best of all it is free. If you want to splurge a bit of cash on such, then go on some mini-trips away and spend time in nature, solely around the natural environment such as caves, parklands, farms, and rainforests. Such an activity also connects us to the wildlife, and to other living things such as plants and trees.

Further to the above, we are encouraged to breathe in some quality fresh air, and allow our hands to connect to the soil by either picking up litter voluntarily, and/or engaging in some gardening. You can even go one better by growing your own fruits and vegetables. Indoor plants are best, and no matter how many indoor plants you have; it really is no substitute for nature in general. Going back to our outdoor roots enables us to feel safe, free, secure, and sovereign. Grounding in nature is the epitome of rest, and the nature of getting some quality shut eye every night. You snooze, and you do not lose. Happy and Healthy New Year.