Sleep, sweet, sweet Sleep. It’s glorious. Delicious. Life giving, grounding, nourishing.
Except for when it’s not. Or, for when it’s hard to come by.
Except for…when your mind is racing, your to-do list is long, when there’s one more task to eek out or e-mail to send, when you’re grieving, transforming, pregnant…when you have a newborn to care for, when little ones are sick, when you’re a parent…in general!
Sleep is a particularly challenging topic for me, as I am GUILTY. Guilty of putting it last on my list.
I am notorious for sacrificing Sleep in the name of productivity–be that in the name of an early morning workout, a study session or for the needs of others. And yet, I know better! And, I’m working on it!! š«£
At 44, not only do I know so much more, but my body’s needs are different. They are different than they were in nursing school, than they were as a new mom, than they were when starting a new business 10 years ago.
At 44 and in peri-menopause, I’m being forced to reflect on routines that may no longer be serving me (ie: my 4 AM wake-up ritual). And, while beautiful, spiritual and full of nourishing routines, it’s time to make some adjustments in the name of Sleep and health overall.
I share all of this in the spirit of vulnerability and authenticity. In showing up honestly and demonstrating my own need to do the work. It’s not easy to let go of old routines, to allow things to be messy while you find a new rhythm! So, for anyone on the journey of self-development, of self-improvement, I applaud the effort and am grateful for the camaraderie.
Let’s dig into Sleep..how is yours?!
| “By helping us keep the world in perspective, sleep gives us a chance to refocus on the essence of who we are. And in that place of connection, it is easier for the fears and concerns of the world to drop away.”ļ»æ ā Arianna Huffington |
Something to Read
According to the CDC, approximately one third of adults report not getting enough sleep. This lack of sleep contributes to poor health outcomes, chronic diseases and conditions including Type 2 Diabetes, mental health disorders, obesity and more.
“Getting enough sleep is not a luxuryāit is something people need for good health.” This quotation from the CDC really stood out as it reminded me of my feelings around exercise in pregnancy! I can often be heard saying, “Exercise in pregnancy is not just a good idea or a nice thing to do, it’s vital for both the health of mom and baby!”
And so, needless to say, this hit home.
“Sleep is NOT a luxury,” it’s a vital component for optimal health and wellness and we must prioritize finding ways to get quality Sleep. Sometimes easier said than done, I know.
In Health & Wellness Coaching, I find that Sleep is at the root of so much, that often we end up working on Sleep and sleep hygiene in an effort to reach other health related outcomes.
Something to Try
Let’s talk Sleep Hygiene! So, what are your nighttime rituals and routines? What sets you up for a solid night of sleep? If anything? If you don’t have a plan in place, that’s okay! This just means we have an opportunity for growth…things can improve from here!
I really appreciated this thought from Sleepfoundation.Org:
This is where you getĀ Something to TryĀ this week!Ā Sleepfoundation.orgĀ has dozens of thoughtful tips and strategies for creating aĀ Sleep HygieneĀ routine that’sĀ uniquely yours.
Something to Create
We can take this one step further and work on creating the ideal Sleep environment!
ļ»æThis might sound like a far-fetched luxury, but you can begin by simply washing the sheets and removing clutter from the room, or by replacing bright light bulbs with blue light blocking bulbs. If inspired, over time, you could make this a much bigger project–from changing the wall colors, to upgrading your mattress and bedding etc.
You can learn more here about some practical steps:Ā How to Design the Ideal Bedroom for Sleep
Something to Consider
When coaching clients on the topic of Sleep, there are often several questions I will ask to get an idea of their sleep quality and to help them gain clarity on their habits, beliefs and obstacles around Sleep.
If you’re curious about dissecting your own Sleep, here are some basic questions to consider:
- On average, how many hours of sleep do you get per night?
- What time do you generally go to sleep and wake up?
- How restful are you when you wake up?
- How would you rate the quality of your sleep?
- What do you currently know about sleep hygiene?
- What sets you up for a restful sleep?
- What do you know can deter a restful night of sleep for you?
- How do you feel about sleep? What emotions does sleep stir for you?
- What would an ideal night of sleep look like for you?
Working with a Health Coach is truly the key to getting unstuck and if you’re feeling called to work on your Sleep or anything else, I’d love to hear from you!
“It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it.”ā John Steinbeckļ»æ