Quantum Happiness Series- rest to recharge
A Word on Wellness
To break free of ennui and learn to navigate a quantum life, we must learn to make wellness a goal, a
habit, and a priority. We must also learn to communicate this commitment to
ourselves and others by organizing our day to budget time and energy for
getting enough sleep, shopping for food, exercising, and practicing self-care.
At the peak of my episode with ennui, I
trudged through my days like a zombie. I was too stressed to sleep, my stomach
and head ached relentlessly, I was having trouble breathing, and I didn’t know
what to do.
Then, in a serendipitous twist of fate, the answer presented itself to me disguised as a phone call from my boss with an unusual teaching assignment. That call changed my life and my work forever. It assured me that I was not alone and introduced me to a world of information and techniques of which I had been unaware. I learned that I was the rule, not the exception. Thousands maybe millions of others were struggling with the same problems of prosperity, living The Dream and being crushed by the weight of responsibility.
Photo by LyfeFuel on Unsplash
Exterminate ennui
There was an abundance of information and
resources to explore, and I was eager to get started. But before I could do
anything else, I had to get well. Not just lose weight, get a good night’s
sleep, or take a yoga class but systematically make lifestyle changes to
promote health and happiness.
So, whether you are inviting inspiration,
discovering the communication
connection, or organizing to
optimize,
wellness is the key to living free of ennui. And overall wellness consists of
three basic elements: rest, exercise, and nutrition.
Rest is best
Of course, the first element of wellness makes
the other two easier. When we are well rested, we are more capable of
performing exercise routines, planning meals, and engaging in other healthy
activities than when we are operating on minimal sleep and massive amounts of
caffeine and/or sugar.
To optimize health and exterminate ennui, we
must carve out a minimum of eight hours downtime every night. Allow at least
that long to fall asleep and peacefully wake. A well-rested mind sets the stage
for inspiration, conversation, and organization. On the other hand, lack of
rest makes us cranky, wreaks havoc on our emotions, causes weight gain, and
depletes our energy reserves.
Light bright
If you have
trouble sleeping, examine your environment.
Light is known to
cause insomnia, especially blue light generated by electronics. To darken your
environment, you can either turn off and cover all the lights and electronics
in your bedroom (we use black electrical tape) or wear a sleep mask, which is
also a great alternative for sleep while traveling.
Noise or no
Noise is a
double-edged sword where sleep is concerned. Of course, loud, disruptive noises
keep us from sleeping, but excessive quiet can be deafening as well. White
noise, such as a fan or soft music can provide the right acoustical environment
for sleep.
Textbook
temperature
Ideal sleeping temperature is between 65- and
70-degrees Fahrenheit. Being too warm or to cool creates a subtle sleep
disturbance that we may not immediately recognize. So, check the thermostat before bed, make
necessary changes, and be sure to have adequate covers.
Early birds and
night owls
I am one of those individuals who wakes up at
dawn ready to face the day. I rarely linger in bed, since the hours between
5:00 and 11:00 a.m. are the best, most productive of my day. I usually sleep
between 6 and 8 hours per night, going to bed at 10:00, drifting to sleep
around 11:00, waking around 5:00 and resting/meditating until 6:00.
Not everyone is an early bird, but it is
important to know when you rest best and for how long.
·
Are you a night owl who stays up until midnight and sleeps until
8:00 or later?
o
Does that fit into your work/sleep schedule?
·
Do you require more than 8 hours of sleep per night or less?
o
If so, how do you budget time for sleep?
·
Do you prefer to rise before the sun?
o
If so, what time must you go to bed to be fully rested?
Jot it down
If there is something on your mind at bedtime,
make a list. Write down:
·
disturbing things that happened during the day,
·
things to do the next day,
·
things to remember,
·
things to prepare,
anything that you might worry about during the
night. Then keep that list nearby. During those dark hours before dawn, we
sometimes get reminders from our subconscious about responsibilities and/or
commitments that we have forgotten. By keeping our list near the bed, we can
easily add to it, releasing that worry until the next day.
Wake wonderfully
Gentle yoga poses and relaxing herbal teas
before bedtime as well as guided meditations can help you get to sleep and stay
asleep.
Try to avoid using an alarm to wake whenever
possible. The sudden jarring noise triggers the fight or flight response,
releases adrenaline into the bloodstream, and abnormally accelerates heart
rate.
Instead try sleeping until waking naturally.
This is tricky at first, but with a little practice, you can start your day
relaxed and refreshed. Try the following process for setting your internal
clock.
The KearceCrafted
anti-alarm method:
·
Set an intention to wake at a desired time.
·
Write that intention down and put it where you see it often.
·
Twenty minutes before bed turn off all electronics.
·
At bedtime, turn off all lights.
·
Go to bed at least 8 hours before time to wake.
·
Practice, practice, practice
Dreamy dawn
Dreams can often be a window into the
subconscious. But they must be captured as soon as we wake since they dissipate
like smoke by midday.
Set the stage for
dream recall:
·
Before bed, set an intention to remember your dreams.
·
Write that intention down and put it next to your bedside.
·
Prepare to record your dreams with either pen and pad or voice recorder
at your bedside.
·
Meditate on that intention for 30 seconds or more before going to
sleep.
·
If you wake during the night with a dream memory, write it down
immediately.
·
When you wake, take a few moments and try to remember your dreams.
o
Do you remember people?
o
Do you remember a place?
o
What emotions do you feel?
Rise and shine
When fully awake, take a few moments to
leisurely stretch and gather your thoughts before bounding out of bed full of
energy and enthusiasm, ready to face the day. Try to refrain from electronics
for the first hour or more of your morning since they are a conduit for stress
and anxiety.
How to stop thinking and start sleeping
Watch the entire "Wonderfull Wellness" series here.
Come join the conversation in Tammy Talk's Social Circle:
If you are generally tired and frustrated, click here to receive a free e-seminar that details the causes and the cure.
Or explore the entire Everyday Vacay Series :)
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