Sink Into Sleep

Many of you wrote to let me know that my post with sleep tips was helpful. I wanted to follow-up with a few words about safety and sleep.

Sleep is a process of letting go, of allowing ourselves to surrender to a different level of consciousness. 

If I go to bed more anxious or wound tight, I sometimes notice that there’s a sensation of gripping in my physical body. 

My first sleep tip here is to remember to allow the mattress to hold your full weight. As I exhale I allow myself to settle down towards the earth. Then again with an exhale, I invite myself to sink a little bit deeper into the cushiony warmth of my bed. 

Another way to approach this letting go that sleep requires is through progressive muscle relaxation. You can go crown to feet or toes to head and check in with different body parts, progressively encouraging yourself to relax areas that feel tense or sometimes even absent/numb. Don’t overthink it. Just enjoy the process. 

Another method to encourage the release required by sleep is the practice of creating muscle tension then intentionally letting it go. In this practice you acknowledge tension by first welcoming it in, followed by a big release. Ball up your fists, curl your toes towards your face, squeeze your face, contract your legs, arms and torso—squeeze squeeze squeeze squeeze squeeze then exhale (maybe even an open-mouthed exhale) let it all go. You can try this 3-5 times. (Skip this one though if you’re pregnant.) 

We’re moving towards winter, the season of deep rest. According to the Chinese Solar calendar, we’re already entering winter, but, don’t fret, we still have a bit of time on the Lunar calendar before winter truly arrives.

Autumn is the season of release, of honing, of letting go. Of preparation for the deep surrender, the sacred bow of the short dark days of wintertime.

How do you create safety in your body and mind so that you can let go and rest? Drop me a line and let me know. And also please feel free to send feedback if you try these tips. I’m always happy to hear from you.

May you rest well.

Monica