Turing In

What is going through your head when you are turning in for the night? Are you thinking about work tomorrow? Anxieties about what all could happen? Maybe it’s just a simple inner monologue on what to have for breakfast. When we are trying to turn in and put the day behind us, our minds can easily be thinking about all sorts of mindless things. This lends itself to many people struggling to fall asleep. Turning in for the day needs to be a time to wind down from the day and put it behind us. That precious time before falling asleep is not a time for worrying about the events of the day or possibilities of tomorrow. If you find yourself in a habit of worrying as you turn in, take a breath. Not a shallow one but a good deep breath (at least five seconds in, six seconds out). This is not just for air purposes, this is for centering purposes as well.

Once that breath has been taken, feel free to repeat a few times (of course if you get light headed stop). Next, think about the things that you have done today. It’s not like everyday we do something grand and noteworthy, sometimes it’s just tackling the dishes and brushing the cats. Try to aim for at least five things that you have done. Think about those things and remember that you are enough. You are capable of wonderful things and tomorrow is a day full of possibility.

From there it’s just hitting snooze on all of those unnecessary thoughts. If they persist, try reading or maybe taking a bath. Just remember to use that time wisely before turning in.