Are Your Thinking Yourself Tired?

What type of sleeper are you?

I spent over 20 years being tired, not sleeping and stressing, I ran a business with my then husband, had three children and was trying to keep the home and finances in order. In 2008 I trained as a hypnotherapist and realised that I was actually thinking myself tired. 

Think of your subconscious as your best friend. 

What does every best friend want to do for you? To make you happy in whatever way they think will work? 

So, imagine this, you are lying in bed in the middle of the night, thoughts racing through your mind, worrying about tomorrow or the next day, working on what jobs you need to do or if you will have time to fit all your jobs in. 

What do you say to yourself? “Oh no! I’m not sleeping I’m going to be tired tomorrow” and there you have it! your best friend comes rushing to your rescue and gives you what you want.

Back to me. Skip a few years (or more, where does the time go?) and I actually look forward to waking up in the night because that is my time to dream, imagine being on holiday or meeting those who have passed meeting me on my favourite beach.

I have more energy than I have ever had and gone are the days I spent feeling exhausted and very grumpy! All because I thought myself tired. 

I wanted to write an article on sleeping and spent hours getting the information together to list all the benefits of a good night’s sleep and all the negative effects of spending your night awake and creating your tired reality the next day, but you can read that on every other blog. There is some good information out there that should not be discarded like cutting down on caffeine, avoiding alcohol before bed, eating healthily, and exercising but I wanted to tell you about the ‘extras’ that have worked for me and many of my clients.

But first I’ll tell you a story. 

I had a client call me, he worked for himself and was doing really well, unfortunately that meant that he spent most of his spare time thinking about work and, if he was anything like me, dreaming he was still at work too.  So, I chatted on the phone and explained how he was thinking himself tired, and yes he agreed that he did lie in bed saying he would be tired in the morning, at the end of the call I told him to go away and practice the techniques and see how they went.  Guess what? He didn’t need to come and see me, and I did myself out of a client! But it felt great that I had helped him restore some balance back into his life.

Here are my 12 top tips for resting and rejuvenating and waking up fresh and ready for another day.

1.Avoid looking at the clock:

How many times have you woken in the night and checked your phone or alarm clock to see what time it is and then tried to work out how many hours sleep you have left, only to then lie there stressing about the time ticking and you’re not asleep?

If you have an alarm clock turn it around so you can’t see the display and trust that it will wake you up at the time needed.

If you use your phone as an alarm, put the phone screen side down and don’t keep checking it because it’s so easy then to just check your emails or see if you have any messages and suddenly you are wide awake!

2.Write a list before bed:

Writing a list can be a helpful way to clear your mind and reduce anxiety, which can make it easier to fall asleep when you have a lot on your mind.  By writing a list of tasks, worries or thoughts before bedtime, you can help ease your mind and prepare yourself for a restful night’s sleep.  Once you’ve written your list put it away until the next morning.  I used to do this but just picking up my note pad seems to be a trigger for my mind to think its sleep time and I wake up with my book at my side and nothing in it.

3.Take off your work hat:

Working late or having trouble switching off when you get home? Imagine or visualise taking your work hat off and leaving it at your desk or by your computer and imagine putting on your bedtime hat. 

4.Your Root Chakra might be blocked:

Worrying about money and feeling insecure can keep you from sleeping soundly at night.

TAKE THE CHAKRA QUIZ 

Or check out my Root Chakra Meditation

5.Don’t tell yourself you will be tired!

Remember what I said, your subconscious is your best friend and will give you anything it thinks will make you happy. By saying “I will be tired tomorrow” will create that reality.  Instead, be thankful for a little time to yourself.  Be aware of your pillow, how soft it is, your bed and how comfy you feel lying there with your covers over you.  Snuggle down deeper and enjoy this time, this is your time and say things like “I am calm, I am relaxed, I love my bed, my pillow is so comfy”

6.Your mind might be awake, but your body still needs to rest

Use this time to go off to far away places.  Remember good times you’ve had on holiday and go back there or go to a beach and ask passed loved ones to come chat with you. Think happy thoughts and enjoy the time you have while lying there.

7.Worry about someone or something?

Imagine asking for someone to take your worries away and help you find a solution.  I imagine putting my worries in a bag, my bag is made of net, like one of those bags you put in the washing machine to keep all your socks together.  I ask the Angels to take them all away and help me to find solutions.  One time I did this, and the bag was huge, it took quite a few Angels and I could see them all pulling this big bag, it took a lot of effort but they eventually got it off the floor and pulled it into the air and took it away.  Sounds crazy? It doesn’t have to be Angels, think of someone who would help you and ask them to take your worries away.

8.Turn the light off and avoid screens before bed:

I have a big confession to make, I slept with the light on until I was in my 40s, I was scared of the dark and although I slept quite well, I was always tired in the day.  Our bodies are designed to naturally produce melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles, in response to darkness.  When it starts to get dark outside, our brains receive signals to start producing melatonin, which can help us feel drowsy and ready for sleep.  In addition, exposure to artificial light emitted by electronic devices, can suppress melatonin production and interfere with our ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Switch off those screens at least one hour before bed.

Tip if you don’t like the light off get an Eye Mask and keep the light on it works just as well.

9.Crystals:

Placing crystals under your pillow or by your bed can help you sleep. 

Rose Quartz placed under your pillow will aid sleep. 

Place Amethyst by the side of your bed to reduce nightmares.

Place Septarian under your pillow to make your dreams more vivid and memorable.

Grid your bed with 8 Howlite Tumble Stones to reduce racing thoughts that stop you sleeping.

10.   Essential Oils:

There are several essential oils that can promote a better night’s sleep.

Lavender

Chamomile

Ylang-Ylang

Sandalwood

Bergamot. 

Place a few drops in a diffuser with water and you will soon smell the calming fragrances but check the labels and contraindications as some essential oils should be avoided when pregnant, around children or when taking certain medications.

11.   Meditation and relaxation:

Remember a good night’s sleep is about relaxation and rest. Meditation can be a very effective tool for improving sleep.  It can help reduce stress, calm the mind, and promote relaxation, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

CHECK OUT MY SLEEP MEDITATION

12.   Hand massage:

A hand massage can be a very effective way to help you relax and unwind before bedtime, which can help promote better sleep.  Here are some tips on how to give yourself a massage.

a.       Find a comfortable and quiet place to sit.  Choose a quiet comfortable spot where you can relax and focus on your hand massage.

b.       Apply a moisturiser or massage oil: Applying a moisturiser or massage oil to your hands can help your hands feel more relaxed and help your fingers glide smoothly over your skin.

c.       Use your thumbs to apply light pressure to all parts of your hand in a circular motion. Massage your fingers and thumb, your palm and your wrist, go with the flow and let your mind guide you to where you need to go.  Focus on areas that feel particularly tense or sore.

d.       Repeat on the other hand: Once you’ve finished massaging one hand, repeat the process on the other hand.

Remember to take your time and breathe deeply as you massage your hands.  This can help you relax even more and make the massage more effective in helping you unwind and fall asleep. It can also give yourself the message that you are loved, we spend a lot of time telling or showing others we love them but seldom tell ourselves.

By incorporating some of these 12 steps into your daily routine, you can improve your sleep quality and wake up feeling more refreshed and energised. Don't think yourself tired!