Today we need to talk about sleep and my sleep soapbox.
When I was a college professor, if my students were to remember anything from my classes, it was my sleep soapbox.
Sleep is such a wonderful and powerful tool.
I can go on and on about sleep research for days.
Not news to you. I know.
But are you getting 100% quality sleep right now?
Why not?
About a year ago, I was drifting from my sleep soapbox.
My body was starting to show me the signs, but I ignored it.
I had “more important things to do” than sleep.
But I was feeling the effects during my day after over a decade of sleep commitment.
I recommitted myself to my sleep and was quickly reminded about the benefits.
Right now, it’s winter in Ohio.
I’m reminding myself that I’m in a mammal body and I need more sleep than I tend to need in the summer.
That has meant 9-11 hours a night for me.
If you’re a caregiver in any fashion and have sleep interruptions, I see you.
That’s a call for more compassion for yourself.
Your days are more difficult due to those nighttime interruptions. No joke.
Give yourself space and grace on that. Stop expecting to get everything done that a non-caregiver can accomplish.
And don’t forget about how capitalism and consumerism affect our sleep.
Unless there is a product to sell related to sleep, there’s no motivation for companies to promote sleep.
I get to walk around talking about my sleep soapbox as a trained researcher and someone committed to public health initiatives and committed to wellness. (We could say my product is in my 1:1 coaching and consulting.)
What if you gave yourself space to get quality sleep?
What’s getting in the way?
Sometimes my clients wake up in the middle of the night with emotions or can’t fall asleep because they feel anxious.
That’s a great opportunity to do more emotional processing during and throughout the day, rather than waiting for the body to hijack sleep and process first.
(And of course, check with your medical professionals about your body and your needs.)
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