It’s lovely that Spring is finally here (apparently!) which means that after the clocks ‘spring’ forward, we start to enjoy lighter evenings again. It’s funny how this annual change to British Summer Time can still upset our sleep pattern until our bodies get used to the change in daylight.
All sorts of other things can affect our sleep, from unpleasant things like stress at work to happy but major changes like a house move or a new baby – it might be not being able to fall asleep or waking up in the night and struggling to go back to sleep. I’ve had personal experience of the frustration of repeatedly waking up yet again at 3.30am!
Many people benefit from traditional approaches such as keeping a sleep journal and ensuring good sleep hygiene eg having a good bedtime routine, making sure the bedroom is as cool, dark, quiet and calm as possible.
However, they didn’t work for me. I found the more I focused on my insomnia, the more fearful I felt that I wouldn’t sleep. Until I found a different approach which involved relaxing, focusing not on sleep but on the positive things in my life, doing more of what I love doing (yes, more jigsaws!) and knowing that the world won’t end if I don’t get a full night’s sleep. And funnily enough, this relaxed attitude led to better sleep quality and quantity. Which just goes to show that, as the lovely Andy Workman says, our brain is like a magnifying glass and whatever we focus on expands – be it good or bad!
If you or someone you know would like help with insomnia (or other conditions), please contact me for a free chat on 07790 683403 or click the contact button on my website at www.kayhendyhypnotherapy.co.uk.
In the meantime, let’s take some sleep inspiration from Cara!