There are many reasons why someone might not be able to sleep. Ordinarily I like to find the root cause to a problem, solve it and then the unwanted symptoms like insomnia will disappear… right? But its just not that simple or quick to fix! In fact I’ve found it usually compounds the problem when you’re lying awake trying to work out the root cause.
Did you know that sleep deprivation was used as a torture technique in war for captives? Your brain needs sleep to process and function; your body needs it for repair and to be at your best physically, mentally and emotionally. Those that get only 4 hours sleep lose 5-8 IQ points the next day. Any parents out there know just how delirious you can become. Not to mention those working hard to be successful in their careers. A lot can be learned from Antonio Horta-Osorio.
The crazy places I would find things and blame it on baby brain, even though he was 2 years old. But it was not surprising having gone back to work full-time in the military after the defence review. So I took on 4 roles to gap posts and amalgamate others, whilst being a new mum. Suffice to say my creativity, capability and ability were on just functioning mode if that!
New research is being published frequently so its worth googling every now and then to find out if your current with the latest help and advice on sleep because what I hope this blog helps you do is focus on yourself, your routines and identify what can help you take a step forward to more sleep! So here’s some questions to help you reflect on what you do and consider what’s next!
#1 Please identify your key motivations for good quality sleep. (3 or more would be great!)
#2 What is your current routine before bed?
#3 What supports good sleep for you in that routine?
#4 What else supports good sleep for you in that routine?
#5 Anything else that supports good sleep for you in that routine? (Stay with me! It’s good to ask yourself what else a few times as your brain starts to work through the information)
#6 What else supports good sleep for you?
#7 What other routines support good sleep for you that you don’t currently do or don’t do consistently?
#8 What is the reason you don’t do these consistently if they support good quality sleep for you?
#9 What doesn’t work for you in your current routine? Ask yourself a few times and then ask: Anything else?
#10 What is the reason it does not work? Any other reasons?
#11 What is the reason you continue to do it, even though it does not work for you? Any other reasons?
#12 What is the motivation behind continuing that behaviour or habit even though it is preventing you from having enough good quality sleep?
#13 For what reasons are the motivations identified in question 12 overriding your motivations for good quality sleep given in question 1?
#14 What mindset change or motivational change is required to take a step forward in gaining good quality sleep?
I hope this gets you thinking and helps to focus your thinking.
Check out my facebook page for Sleep Zoom Events coming up or contact me for more support.
Action Architects 