I don’t sleep well! If I don’t take medication, I can’t get to sleep. My aches and pains keep me up, so I might as well be productive instead of lying wide-awake!
We’ve all heard these complaints and have probably experienced sleep disruption at some time.
My nursing instructions to patients recovering from illnesses included, “Get good sleep and rest because that’s when the body does most of its repair.”
Experiences not processed in my conscious thoughts get processed in my sub-conscious as I sleep. If they’re good experiences, the dreams can be humorously delightful. If experiences involve fear or conflict, getting to sleep and staying asleep can be difficult and dreams troubling.
Conflict and challenges experienced can cause muscles of the muscular-skeletal system and organs to tighten, causing pain in the night and daytime.
Too much caffeine, not enough physical exercise, too much social media and screen time before bed all can contribute to poor sleep. What or who is the culprit preventing sleep? MYSELF!
I’ve learned the problem is what consumes my thought life. When I fail to be in charge of my thoughts, I become the reason for poor sleep. What’s the solution?
Honestly discussing the day’s events with those who love me and are positive influences helps to resolve fear and conflict. We really need the support of others to maintain mental health.
But what about the very real spiritual part of who we are? How does our identity as a person affect sleep? For me, it’s interacting with the One who made me in His image, totally loves and understands me and has the very best advice.
Most days I spend a few minutes journaling the stuff of my thoughts with God because I love to write. But you might prefer to do that in conversation.
Reading a Psalm from a modern translation before sleep, sets the stage for healing rest. Those powerful, wise words become a peaceful safety-net for my mind and spirit, allowing my body healthier function.
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. (NLT: Psalms 91: 1 – 2)