This one simple task changed the way I spent my evenings!
For years I was not sleeping at all. I had my first panic attack late one evening, after that I was on high alert every night as the sun went down. I was miserable. Channel surfing all night, in and out of my bed, truly terrified. What could I do to change the way I was feeling.
Then one night it hit me, I needed to change the way my night felt. I developed a before bed routine that would remove the fear and actually make me crave that time of night.
Over the last few years I have developed a routine I do every night, no matter what time I go to bed. Even though the Panic Monster doesn’t live here anymore I still continue to follow this routine to make sure he doesn’t just appear.
I have found that knowing what my evening is going to consists of gives me great peace. I also don’t get that dreaded worry about panic attacks at night anymore. Every night is the same & last night I was OK.
My “Nesting“ Time usually starts an hour before bed.
· I make sure everything is prepared for tomorrow.
· My list is started for the next day & on my desk waiting to help me through my day.
· My room is clean and clutter free. Clutter makes me nervous when I try to sleep. I seem to think about everything I should be doing.
· I like to take a warm shower and I use lavender lotion after I get out.
· Cozy jammies are a must & clean sheets.
· I never read or watch anything that is going to give me problems through the night. No Cops, medical programs, or the news.
Truthfully I never watch those. No true crime books at bedtime either.
· I like to read a devotional page, write in my journal & focus on my visions of how I want my day tomorrow to go. Make sure you are not addressing worries before bed, no balancing the budget either. No worries at bedtime.
· Sometimes if the voices in my head are too loud, a tape of the ocean, a meditation, or I like to watch TV on captions. The captions force my brain to work and the voices have no time to come in. Before I know it I am fast asleep. Thank goodness for my TV timer.
· If you are going to sleep in a dark quiet room this is a great time to work on those deep breaths all the way to your belly.
· I also keep a glass of water by the bed. If I start getting that nervous feeling – a large drink of water seems to help.
What works for you?
Here’s a note I received about Nesting.
“Dear Amy, how could something as simple as Nesting change my life. I was so afraid of bed time & now I can’t wait. Thank you for giving me the feeling that it’s ok and necessary to take this time out for me. Thank you! Thank you!”
Just know little pebbles can make a big ripple and each pebble counts!
With the hustle of the Holidays make Nesting for the next two weeks a gift to yourself.
Sweet Dreams,
Amy
amy@thehatchedegg.com
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