Reflexology For The Spirit

spirituality of one's health

Your Sleep Sanctuary

heart with wings

Better sleep includes getting enough sleep at night and  waking  gently in the morning.  That’s what alarm clocks and cell phone alarms are for.  Use them to remind you to begin to calm down in the evening and to gently wake you in the morning.

Sleep Encouraging  Techniques for you

As you journey down the path toward a better night’s sleep, don’t think of your bedroom as just a bedroom.  Think of it as your sleep sanctuary.

Some people report they get to sleep easier if they use a diffuser   with a lavender essential oil.  You may want to try this.  Lavender is one of the most popular and calming essential oils out there but not everyone likes it.

If you like lavender, you can use it knowing that studies find lavender essential oil improves your mood, decreases the heart rate, lowers the skin temperature and   blood pressure a bit.

A bonus here is that lavender is not one of the most expensive essential oils.  So, this may be an economical solution for you.

Do you have any plants in your bedroom?  If not, you may want to add one or two.  They purify the air as  they reduce mold,  filter toxins, release oxygen at night.  And, plants are fun to look at.

Lower Lighting is Important for a Good Night’s Rest.

As you prepare for sleep each night, lower the lights in your sleep sanctuary.  Bright lights  just before getting into bed can trick you into wakefulness.  You need light as you get ready for bed, but you just don’t need so much.

When You are Ready to go to Sleep, Turn out the Lights.

Then, when you get into your bed, set your intention.  My intention is always for a deep, healing, relaxing sleep so that I will wake up refreshed in the morning when it is time to get up.

Follow your intention with a short breathing exercise .

Begin this sleep breathing by getting comfortable in your bed.  Take a deep breath and hold it for an extra moment.  When you release this breath, focus on releasing  all tension and worries.  Blow them far away.  With the next breath, let go of any discomfort your body is holding.  With every exhale, focus on the word “relax”.

Breathe in peace…breathe out relax.

Hold your breath for a moment and then repeat:  Breathe in peace…breathe out relax.

Now, breathe in peace…breathe out relax.

Finally, enjoy your final peace breath and then breathe out relax.

Thank you for reading this article.  Please refer it to your favorite social media network.

Thurman Greco

 

Healthy Sleep-

SLEEP WELL

Some of us sleep well.  Some of us wish we could sleep well.  And, some of us battle sleep and try to improve it.  And, for some, this is a lifelong endeavor.  Sleep simply eludes us .

Even though I sleep well, I fall in the category of those who try to improve my sleep. Through the years, I’ve developed some techniques that give me a successful night’s sleep not just once in awhile…but most nights.

Sleep is a priority with me.  And not just a decent sleep, either.  I want and need a good night’s sleep every night.

An important step I take each evening before I get into bed is establish a sleep intention.  I do this every evening because  I want my sleep to be restful and serene.  I want to sleep throughout the night because my goal is to wake up rested and ready for the coming day.  This is the  intention I set each evening before I get in my bed.

CAFFEINE…OR NOT

I begin preparing for sleep each evening in the morning before I leave home.  My caffeinated drinks are exclusively early  day beverages and I taper off the caffeine as the day goes on.

One way I do this is limit my coffee to no more than five cups a day. Even though five cups is my limit, often I never even get to five cups.  I enjoy unsweetened iced tea so I may drink more tea than coffee.

As midday rolls around, I switch to a latte.  I may occasionally have a decaffeinated coffee in the afternoon.  But, not often.

Most of the time, my afternoon drink is a large unsweetened iced tea.

TV TIME

When I’m home relaxing, I resist the temptation to watch “just one more program”.  And, I limit my email time after dinner.  And, neither my TV nor my computer can be found in my bedroom because they can interfere with my sleep.

A SLEEP SCHEDULE

I try to maintain a sleep schedule so that I go to bed pretty much the same time every evening and I get up about the same time on weekdays.

A PERFECT BEDROOM

My bedroom is the most serene room in the house.  The walls are a pale cream color.  The carpet is a quiet brown.  I have several pieces of art on the walls which make me feel calm and positive.  Sleep comes easy in this room.

And, my bed is perfect!  I love it.  The mattress is sooo comforting.

Are your sheets comfortable?  Some people love cotton sheets.  Others prefer flannel sheets.  I’m on the flannel sheet side of the argument.  I love the feel of the flannel sheets every night of the year.

When you buy sheets, carefully check the labels to be sure that you get what you pay for.  Be sure your sheets are good enough quality that you  can wash them in hot water and put them in the dryer.

Is the sheet fabric tightly woven enough to keep away dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens.

Whatever you choose, make sure you have sheets and blankets that you like.  You need to like the color.  You need to like how the fabric feels when you touch it.

And finally, you need to feel your bedding is inviting.

THE TEMPERATURE

Is your bedroom too hot or is it too cool?  The last thing you want is to sweat or shiver throughout the night because when you’re shivering  or sweating, you are not sleeping.

YOUR APPLIANCES

Your sleep doesn’t need to be disturbed with computer, smartphone, TV, and other appliances beep.  So, they don’t belong in your bedroom.

CLEAR OUT THE CLUTTER

Clearing out the clutter in your bedroom really helps.  An uncluttered space is calming, inviting, serene.  Go for it!  Try clearing out the clutter about fifteen minutes a day until the room is all cleaned out.  You’ll feel better and sleep better for it.

When I started clearing out the clutter, I felt things would look better in my bedroom but I was unprepared for the wonderful difference an uncluttered space made in my sleep.

MOVE YOUR HOME OFFICE TO SOMEWHERE ELSE

Ban your office from your bedroom.  When you bring your work to your bedroom, you make it harder to unwind as you think about tomorrow’s problems before you try to go to sleep.

There are a kazillion other things you can do to improve your sleep.  I’ll be discussing them over time.  Some of the suggestions I’ll bring up may not interest you.  Try what seems good to you.  As you discover what improves  your better sleep, you’ll benefit from the changes.

You may find you look better, feel better, and think better.  It’s worth the effort to change your habits and environment.

Thanks for reading this article!  Please refer it to your favorite social media network.

Thurman Greco