10 Sleep-Better Suggestions

I was asked how to sleep better a few times recently. Since I’ve learned to be an excellent sleeper (can be 8 to 12 hours a day), I have some tips to share:

1. Get sleep training (which I don’t offer). Yes, there is such a thing and it’s a worthwhile investment.
2. Write down everything in your mind at the end of the day e.g. ideas, grocery list, to-do list. What’s even better is doing this way before sleep e.g. immediately after work as a way to train your brain to compartmentalise/ separate the difference between Work and Personal time.
3. More powerful than writing down things, it is important to do self-talking and telling your brain things like: “I have written this down. I won’t forget. I will pick this up tomorrow. I can let this go now.” You control your mind, not let your thoughts control you. This might not seem to work at first, but it does become easier with time and practice.
4. Since whatever you have been doing isn’t working, stop telling yourself the same thing e.g. “It’s x o’clock. I still can’t sleep!! (victim role/ complain). Self soothe instead, “It’s ok not to sleep. Just lay here, relax my body, rest my eyes.” (let go of self-pressure/ judgment).
5. I attended a mind-training course maybe 20 years ago. Of the many practices I was taught, this is the only one I do to this date. As I am…