Hey y'all, I've been having trouble sleeping lately. I've been able to fall asleep just fine, but then I'll wake up two hours later, all wide awake.
At first I beat myself up about it. Don't I teach this? Don't I work with my clients on how to manage their stress and improve their sleep? Isn't that, like, MY JOB?
But then I listened to a podcast last night with Leslie Booker and Dan Harris on the Ten Percent Happier app. Leslie Booker (known simply as "Booker") is a meditation coach and was talking about some of her struggles with managing her stress levels and personal health.
She spoke about a time when she didn't listen to her body and kept pushing herself until her body decided to shut her down, with painful swelling in her legs. Her body literally prevented her from going at her current speed until she stopped and paid attention. When she was telling this story, she was full of self-blame: "I teach this", "I should have known better." And I couldn't help but relate to her. She shared a phrase, "Just Like Me", to grant herself grace and compassion.
Now, my body isn't shutting down, but I am having trouble sleeping. And yes, I do teach this for a living. But I am finding "Just Like Me" to be a very helpful tool in my toolbox. Just like me, Booker is a meditation coach. Just like me, Booker has challenges in her physical body. Just like me, Booker experiences stress. Just like me, Booker can show herself compassion and patience.
As far as the sleeping is concerned, I have tools that work sometimes. Getting up, listening to a guided meditation, listening to a podcast, taking deep belly breaths, or repeating a mantra in my head to stop my monkey mind from swinging from the branches.
Last night, "Just Like Me" did the trick.
Look at this little angel: my nephew Jacob at three months old I think. He has perfect form: one hand on his heart and one hand on his belly. I bet he's taking deep belly breaths, too.
So, I saw this on one of my WW coaches blogs...he says if after 20 mins you still can't fall asleep get up and go to another room that's dimly lit and comfortable. You want to associate your bed just for sleeping and the end of your day to regenerate. While you are in the other room, do something very relaxing, read, listen to a soothing meditation etc. deep breathing and when you feel tired then go back to your bed and try to sleep. I can't shut my mind off usually...so I do a lot of deep breathing. Jake looks so peaceful there! ❤️
When I can’t sleep I do better staying in bed and reciting the rosary prayers (learned when I was young) Although I’m no longer an organized religion soul this seems to be my mantra-lulling me to sleep. I guess those years of catholic edu was worth something.