FINISH THE STRESS CYCLE FOR BETTER SLEEP

Sleep coach MONICA LE BARON describes how to let your body know that it’s time for rest.

-  MONICA LE BARON

WHEN YOUR BODY NOTICES a potential threat (real or imaginary), it activates a stress response to help you survive. To make survival possible, other functions get put to the side until the perceived threat is gone. These include digesting food and sleeping. In today’s world the stress response, for many people, is triggered constantly.

Completing the stress cycle means sending a signal to your mind, body, and soul that you are once again safe. It’s not enough to tell yourself, “Everything is okay now.” You need to speak your body’s language.

This 10-minute routine helps you communicate with your body, telling it that the time of stress is over so that you can fall asleep peacefully in minutes.

Dim the lights, put on your PJs, turn off any possible distractions, and let’s get cozy.

GRATITUDE JOURNAL

[TWO MINUTES] Start by journaling for two minutes about five things that you’re grateful for and why. Thoughts of gratitude and appreciation can help your brain create endorphins, the happy hormones, and help release negative thoughts before bed.

Start with general areas in your life and move to more specific ones. You can use phrases like “I am grateful for my family because they are very supportive” or “I am grateful for my bed because it is cozy and comfortable.”