Dear Cindy, my heart is with you at the loss of your beloved mother. My condolences for the loss of your father's cousin too. I'm with you in spirit and sending you lots of love and healing energy. I know it's a lot on your plate right now with your father etc. I am giving you a big hug and enveloping you in soft white and pink light as I write this. We both have an additional angel who will watch over us soon.
Thank you for your sleep suggestions. I am a "throw it against the wall and see what sticks" person so I'm trying everything that folks here suggest. Bless you! ? ? ❤️ ❤️
@jeanne-mayell @bluebelle, @lovendures @gbs, @laura-f @herondreams @stargazer
THANK YOU ALL so very much! I'm so truly appreciative of all of your suggestions and energy. ?
I have written down everyone's suggestions and I took steps last night and can say I did finally sleep better - not perfect - but much better and it didn't take me hours to fall asleep. I tried @jeanne-mayell suggestion of the Jennifer Percy's Yoga Nidra for Sleep and found it was extremely helpful! Thank you! I'm also trying @frank suggestion too tonight.
For me any kind of emotional stress seems to be harder on my body than physical stress. Whenever my deepest emotions are taxed I notice it affects me physically.
I'm amazed how wonderful and loving everyone here is and I want to say how blessed you all make me feel. Thank you again for all your help. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
@cindy I’m so sorry about your mom. Holding you and your family close in my prayers and my heart. ❤️☮️
@cindy I am very sorry for your losses. I will be thinking of you and sending you healing light.
@triciact I agree with @jeanne-Mayelle that Jennifer Piercy’s Yoga Nidra for Sleep on Insight Timer is really relaxing. I also like some of her other yoga nidra meditations. Additionally, I can recommend relaxation or sleep meditations by Glenn Harold or Andrew Johnson on the same app. Any of their things usually put me to sleep quickly.
@Jason I am very sorry to hear of your struggles with online classes. It is a challenge. Do you know anyone from the classes that you can discuss the material with? Sometimes just having someone who is studying the same subject to talk to makes it easier to get through. Or is it possible to create a class chat group for the courses? One of my children who is in the same boat as you are with regard to now having to study online regularly chats with fellow students about whatever subject they are working on. I will be thinking of you and sending you light to get through this challenging time. Let us know how you are doing!
@triciact I agree with @jeanne-Mayelle that Jennifer Piercy’s Yoga Nidra for Sleep on Insight Timer is really relaxing. I also like some of her other yoga nidra meditations. Additionally, I can recommend relaxation or sleep meditations by Glenn Harold or Andrew Johnson on the same app. Any of their things usually put me to sleep quickly.
Thank you Baba! ?
@cindy, I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I am praying for you and your dad, and am holding you both in protective, comforting and peaceful light. You and your family will be in my healing meditation on Wednesday.
Lots of love to you. ?
@triciact, I'm sorry that you're dealing with insomnia. I can empathize. I've experienced insomnia, in varying degrees, for the past 20 years. As @bluebelle remarked, it's a beast. I am glad to hear that you slept better last night.
I can totally relate when you stated “Whenever my deepest emotions are taxed I notice it affects me physically.” For me, my sleep is often troubled when strong emotions are involved. During the day I can sometimes push those emotions aside, especially when I have things to occupy my mind and time. But when the quiet of nighttime comes, those emotions can return, as do those ruminating thoughts. Grief is certainly a big one for me. Not only are you experiencing the collective grief, but also the grief of losing your beloved Aunt Mickey.
I like the ideas that people have posted. (In fact I will try the Yoga Nidra meditation myself). Here are a few more suggestions:
- Writing in my journal with my non-dominant hand – it can help to turn off my monkey mind
- Getting a foot massage from my husband
- Progressive relaxation exercises (i.e. focusing on each part of your body, tensing your muscles, and letting go)
- Getting out of bed and doing something that calms me, e.g. reading an inspirational, funny or light book, etc. (but as @laura-f stated, no electronic devices)
- If the weather is good, go outside on my deck, sit quietly and look at the moon and stars
- Temporarily sleeping in another bedroom (I discovered when I realized that I could fall asleep watching TV on the sofa, but couldn’t sleep once I retired to my bed)
If I have anxiety:
- The supplements l-theanine and magnesium glycinate, 30 minutes before retiring
- If I have palpitations, slightly elevating the upper part of my body. (Fortunately we have an adjustable bed, but pillows should also work). This was recommended by my CFS doctor for my autonomic dysfunction. Too long to explain that one, but it helps.
- Doing a simple, polyvagal exercise that can help to down-regulate the sympathetic nervous system. My physical therapist introduced it to me. I spoke more about in an earlier post. It looks and sounds kooky, but it helps me. I do it a few times a day. You can do it either sitting up or lying down. Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHBpHl0oebo
- Smiling. I’m not kidding. I just lay there in my dark room, and smile. I discovered that when I was on the verge of a panic attack. It can put me in a more calming emotional space. I think my angels like that one!
- I remind myself that this, too, shall pass.
I'll be surrounding you in peaceful, calming light tonight. ❤️ ? ❤️
I can totally relate when you stated “Whenever my deepest emotions are taxed I notice it affects me physically.” For me, my sleep is often troubled when strong emotions are involved. During the day I can sometimes push those emotions aside, especially when I have things to occupy my mind and time. But when the quiet of nighttime comes, those emotions can return, as do those ruminating thoughts. Grief is certainly a big one for me. Not only are you experiencing the collective grief, but also the grief of losing your beloved Aunt Mickey.
I like the ideas that people have posted. (In fact I will try the Yoga Nidra meditation myself). Here are a few more suggestions:
- Writing in my journal with my non-dominant hand – it can help to turn off my monkey mind
- Getting a foot massage from my husband
- Progressive relaxation exercises (i.e. focusing on each part of your body, tensing your muscles, and letting go)
That's exactly what happens to me. When I am emotionally and mentally calm, my sleep is not as disturbed. It's been a long time that I have actually felt relaxed that I don't have to worry about sleep (since 2016!). When I was young person grief would overwhelm me, I would cry a lot and just be kind of a zombie. Now that I'm older and I have more responsibility and have to work during this time I compartmentalize it more but it comes to me at night in the form of restlessness.
I like the foot massage idea from the hubby ?
Thank you Dee! ?
Posted by @triciact:
Now that I'm older and I have more responsibility and have to work during this time I compartmentalize it more but it comes to me at night in the form of restlessness.
Tricia -- boy, can I relate to that! Back when I was working, I never seemed to have enough time left over for myself and self-care. That never made sense to me, especially since I didn't have children, but that tells you where my priorities were. Back then as I went through bouts of insomnia, I would worry about how functional I was going to be at work the next day. And of course, the worry just made sleep more challenging. I finally relinquished some control and gave myself permission to have "off" days -- meaning that if I'd slept poorly or didn't feel well, it was okay if I wasn't giving 100% during my workday. (I sense you are someone who gives more than 100% to your work, which is why I'm mentioning it. I bet that you give much more than you think you do.)
It was striking that balance of honoring myself and honoring my outside commitments that also helped me.