“That’s why I keep a journal – not for chatter but for mostly the images that flow into the mind or little ideas.” – Jim Harrison
Once upon a time people would rise at dawn and go to sleep at dusk. Sleeping patterns were built-in to the system. Today we’ve hacked the system, but at what cost? The truth is that getting enough sleep is crucial for your health.
In the words of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and Sleep Research Society (SRS), “Sleeping less than 7 hours per night on a regular basis is associated with adverse health outcomes, including weight gain and obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and stroke, depression, and increased risk of death. Sleeping less than 7 hours per night is also associated with impaired immune function, increased pain, impaired performance, increased errors, and greater risk of accidents.”
Writing Yourself To A Better Night’s Sleep
The first step towards better sleep is, obviously, setting aside the time for it and going to sleep on time. But, even if you’ve made it to bed at the right hour, you may have a difficult time falling asleep. One of the reasons why some people have a hard time dozing off is because of the clutter in their minds.
During the day, your mind is busy. It needs to remember important events, plan for the future, figure out how to handle situations and so many other things. What happens when you go to sleep? It doesn’t stop working.
Thankfully, there’s a pretty simple solution – journaling and making a to-do list. These writing activities can let your mind know it can rest and get off high-alert.
Journaling
Grab a pen and put your thoughts onto paper. You might be surprised to see what an effect this has on your mind. Once you no longer need to make sure to remember, your mind can go into a more restful mode.
To-Do List
This is what Kenneth Chenault, CEO of American Express, does before shutting his eyes. A to-do list will help you clear you mind from all the things you need to take care of and allow it to rest.
How do you calm your mind before going to sleep?
Please share in the comments below.
Disclaimer, or Use At Your Own Risk
The information and advice in this post are for entertainment and informational purposes and should not be viewed as professional opinions. We do not take any responsibility for its content and any action you take based on the information of this post is strictly at your own risk. You should always speak to your doctor regarding medical information and your health.