HTT: The Release of Rest

Image credit: Icy Statue of Young Lord Buddha, Seattle, Washington, USA by Wonderlane (Flickr)

Just a few notes on what's up this week including:  what's on my mind & some musings about healing, and what's new on the blog...

Personally speaking...as I approach the third trimester sleeping troubles becomes a bigger and bigger deal.  As usual hormones are one of the culprits, but I'm also convinced that this is Nature's way of prepping me for the complete lack of a normal sleep schedule that is associated with having a newborn.  At least I've done this one before so I'm sort of mentally prepared.

Musing about healing...All this talk and thoughts about energetic resonance got me thinking about some issues I have seen coming up with other people.  As you well know, part of my practice is analyzing and identifying what actions and choices really say about the energy you have in your life.  A recent conversation with a friend dredged up our old friend insomnia.  While it seems to be on the rise in the world around us (and no wonder with all the distractions these days), most of what you hear or read looks at it from a strictly clinical mindset.

These ideas are all valid and valuable, but I thought we should explore it in another vein to gain further insight into what it's really saying about your life in this day & age...

As you can see the word insomnia breaks down to the number 4.  4 is associated with structure, stability, and the physical foundation of your life.  In it's negative guise it procrastinates, tends towards a mindset of perfectionism, and can be a real stick in the mud about it's ideas.  It's methodical, but slow moving.

Further breaking this down you see it originates as a 40.  The presence of the 0 adds in the element of it being a deeper spiritual problem, something that ultimately may mean the help of something greater than yourself.  Usually this means trusting, but it can also be the feeling of safety in their being greater things at work, and seeing your own divinity.

Dealing with insomnia is often centered on a lack of organization (another negative attribute of the 4 energy).  This can come from not wanting to plan or focusing so much on your planning that you never implement any of it!  You can get your mind so revved up that you're not relaxing, which is more in line with the 4 energy.  4 loves to work so relaxing or taking down time either doesn't happen, or takes the form of things that really are just time wasters, eg piddling about on Facebook.

However, you can use this very knowledge to turn this energy on it's head and make it work for you!  The best way to harness the energy is to have a plan.  Be solid, clear, and structured about your approach to the issue, and follow through!

Image credit: Sleeping and sleeping by Daniel Guimaraes

Here's my foolproof plan for developing good sleep hygiene:

• Pick a bed time.  This seems like a simple step, but not having a set time you're going to go to sleep is a major habit killer.  Developing any sort habit requires consistency.
  
• Start winding down 1 hour before (increase as needed).  Another major failing to getting to sleep is when your mind is too wound up.  Settling down isn't a process that should be forced in a hurry, so give yourself time to switch away from the hustle & bustle of your day.
  
• Eliminate distractions & disruptions.  Part of winding down will mean getting away from things that take away from the transition process.  So make sure you are able to fully focus on the task.
  
• Unplug!  Not only are you going to need to minimize and just plain eliminate distractions, but you'll need to do so in all forms.  Most especially with your electronic devices.  Keep in mind that any alarms or notifications are going to disrupt your peace.  This also means you should ditch the television & computer.
  
• Adopt calming activities.  Any meditative practice (think Restorative Yoga or T'ai Ch'i) will help ease your nervous system down from a state of "go go go" to one of calm.  Chanting, toning, or just deep, even breathing can help you to lower your pulse and put your body at ease.
  

Developing a habit can take 21 days, but steady practice of these tips will make the practice effortless.  And your body & mind will thank you for it!

What I'm talking about...last week I touched a bit on mindful communication and how you can improve your communication with a few tips.

In the comments below, share with me...

• Do you deal with insomnia?
• How is your sleep hygiene?
• What suggestions do you have for good sleeping habits?

Thanks for tuning in to this week's "Healing Thought Thursday".  Make sure you come back next week to see what's going on in my world!  And if you haven't yet be sure to join my newsletter and connect with me on your favorite social media!

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Related Reading...

HTT: Mindful Communication

HTT: Technology Fosters Community

HTT: The Solace of Silence