Good Sleep

Ever have those nights when you wish you could find the switch that turns your brain off? Me too-which is why when I do have a good night’s sleep, I am grateful.

Thankfully, restless nights are not a chronic issue for me, just occasional. The last time I wanted to flip the switch that would turn my brain off was last month, the night before a speaking engagement. 

I went to bed at my normal hour, but I could tell by the way my brain was working that I was going to have a restless night. Assuring myself that I had nothing to worry about, my brain was not convinced. Breathing slowly and deeply while repeating a little mantra did not put my brain to rest either. 

I gave in to the fact that I’d be awake for a while, then drifted off to sleep. Waking up at my usual hour, I could tell that my brain and body were not their peppy selves. But, my speaking engagement went well anyway and after completing the commitment, I had no trouble sleeping soundly that night. 

Just recently, my siblings and I had a conversation about what causes their restless nights. 

“I sleep with my phone on my nightstand and sometimes I look at it when I can’t sleep,” said one of my siblings. “I know that’s not a good idea.”

Another one piped up and said, “That’s the problem with having your phone turned on and having it in your bedroom. You’re anticipating something will happen. Turn the damn thing off and leave it in another room.” 

Good advice, but not so simple for my sibling to follow.

There are other reasons for restless nights; eating too soon before going to bed, not enough down time between screen time and sleep time, too much caffeine consumption and not enough exercise. 

Though there are a plethora of sleeping aids on the market, such things cannot take the place of common, costless and natural ways to sleep well. 

Going outside for a 20 minute walk in natural light, turning screens off at least an hour before going to sleep, regularly scheduled meals with the last one not too soon before going to bed are a few recommendations from the National Sleep Foundation. 

Sleeping is necessary for our restoration and nothing can replace what only sleep does for us. While sleeping we process memories and experiences from our day, our muscle tissue, bone cells and immune system is repaired. During sleep, our insightful thinking, creativity and memory are boosted. 

No wonder we can be grateful for a good night’s sleep.

Why Bother?

Why bother being grateful for a good night’s sleep? We can be grateful for a good night’s sleep because a good sleep does more good to our brain and body than we can imagine, yet we certainly reap the benefits.

P.S.  I wrote the story of my journey to forgiveness for those who, like me, know they need to change, but are not quite sure where to start. You can find A Heart’s Journey To Forgiveness at Redemption Press and Amazon.