Struggling to fall off to sleep can be so frustrating.
How about instead?
Right now,
Opening the curtains.
And looking up into the night sky.
What do you see?
A hazy glow on the horizon maybe.
Some clouds,
Stars,
Just take a moment to observe.
Try not to think about it.
Just look.
When you've been out in the sunshine during the day.
And it's important to immerse yourself in the darkness of night time.
It'll really help you reset your circadian rhythm.
And release natural melatonin,
The hormone that signals to your body to go to sleep.
Helps you improve your mood and helps you sleep more naturally.
You just spend some time.
Observing the dark,
Being in the dark.
In times like this I find the clockwork rhythm of the night sky to be a real source of nocturnal companionship.
Something comforting about the regularity and predictability of day turning to night,
And then the stars steadily wheeling their way across the sky.
Yes,
Sometimes clouds block our view.
But the stars are always there behind them.
So as you lie in bed.
Turn your attention to another of life's rhythms.
Your breath.
There's no need to change your breath in any way.
Just become aware.
That you are breathing.
And how that feels to breathe.
Notice the rising and falling of your chest and belly with each breath.
Then begin to count your breath.
1 to 10,
Like this.
In breath one,
Out breath two.
In breath.
Three,
Out-breath 4 and so on.
.
.
When you reach 10,
Just start again at 1.
If you get distracted or you lose count.
That's very normal.
Just return your attention to your breath.
And start again at one.
Breathing and counting.
Consciously choosing them.
Not to engage with your thoughts.
Instead focusing on something that you feel,
Right here.
.
.
Now.
Breathing in,
I'm breathing out.
You might be surprised how quickly you fall back off to sleep.
