Top three misconceptions about improving sleep

Beliefs about ‘the best way’ to achieve something often go hand in hand with misconceptions.

Sleep is no exception.

There are many opinions about “the best way” to sleep soundly at night and wake up refreshed in the morning. No one method will ever suit everyone.

You have heard me talk about old wives’ tales in the past. I do believe that there is a ‘best way’ for you to achieve a great night’s sleep every night, but my ‘best way’ may be completely different to your friend’s or even your parents’.

We are all unique so there is no one way to achieve any one thing.

I point this out because I believe in helping people like you develop life-long skills when it comes to their sleep. I want you to discover what works best for you. Once you develop skills that you can rely on, no matter what happens during the day, you can sleep soundly at night.

Our mind instinctively likes to generalize and categorize, but sometimes the best way to approach things is with flexibility and an open mind.

If you are like I was years ago, quite analytical and almost wanting to be in control all the time, then this approach may seem challenging. But you see, with sleep issues, the more you stress about it, the more you struggle with it.

I often hear clients say, ‘I fell asleep when I gave up on sleeping.’ Have you heard this too?

This leads to my top three misconceptions about sleep:

1. ‘Nothing works for me’

After over 10 years of studying sleep on a practical level, I still find new ways of improving my sleep. When I hear that someone used lavender oil a couple of nights sporadically and then gave up, I remind them that sleeping well at night is about more than using one or two tricks they may have picked up from an article.

It is too easy to give something a go and then decide, after a day or two, that it isn’t working.

2. ‘I will catch up at the weekend’

Can you really catch up at the weekend?

If you sleep in on Saturday morning, it may help you temporarily, but how often have you woken up after a long sleep and felt even more tired? You may find you have hardly any time to do anything during the day after a lie in, so the entire weekend disappears without you enjoying your free time.

If you sleep for longer on Saturday and perhaps even on Sunday, you may not be sleepy on Sunday night. This has a knock-on effect for Monday as your sleep is once again cut short. ‘Catching up’ can create a cycle of sleep deprivation as, once again, you begin the week feeling tired.

3. ‘I am fine, others really struggle, but I am fine’

Are you really fine?

You are the only person that can answer that truly and honestly.

I often hear this during my workshops or one to one sessions. It is normal to compare yourself to others, but the bottom line is, your struggles with sleep will be completely different to those of other people.

Your sleep and energy levels during the day are all about you, how you feel and what you want to get out of your life. If you feel tired and unable to sleep as well as you would like, then do something about it. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else – it will only distract you from seeking your own solution.

Which of these 3 misconceptions did you or do you still believe in?

Do you feel ready to challenge them?

Beatrix

www.thesleepdeepmethod.com