Trouble Sleeping?

I’ve had my fair share of nights or early mornings where I’ve awaken and cannot go back to sleep. Often my mind is racing, thinking about the things I need to do as the day progresses. I’ve found a few things help when I’m experiencing sleeplessness.

Prayer: Of course, prayer is at the top of the list. Philippians 4:6-7 says “Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand”.  Sometimes all I need to do is pray about whatever is bothering me and leave it at the alter. Early mornings are also a good time to hear what God is really trying to tell us. Pray.

Body Scan. This is a technique where you go from the top of your head to the end of your toes, imagining a photo copier slowly moving over your body, bringing attention to any discomfort, sensations, tensions, or aches that exist. It’s a great way to shift your mind from those anxious thoughts.

Meditate: I love this method from Jose Silva, who counsels on how to achieve the meditative level of mind. Close your eyes and look upward, behind your eyelids, at a 20 degree angle. Slowly, at about 2-second intervals, count backward from 100 to 1. As you do this, keep your mind on counting, and you will achieve the meditative level of mind, which he calls Alpha. Your body will benefit from meditation. Worries and guilt will be absent while meditating. Plus sleep is more easily obtained!