Subscribe to the BlogIf you are having trouble falling asleep take your troubles somewhere else. According to Sleep Specialist, Dr. Daniel Kripke, you should take all of your worries outside of your bedroom. He suggests using your bedroom only for sleep as a good sleep habit.
- Take your worries out to a chair.
- Do not read alarming material in bed.
- Do not watch TV in bed.
- Handle all problems and worries outside of the bedroom.
These ideas reminded me of something I had read about the famous Andrew Carnegie, Captain of Industry. Carnegie's rags to riches is one of my favorite stories.
"It is reported that Andrew Carnegie did something in particular that led to his great success. Every single night before he slept at night, he did this very simple habit. What he did was so simple yet so powerful. This little technique is not used by many people. As a matter of fact this is a big secret. So what you are about to hear may very well be something that can change your life forever. He kept a notebook close to him, and every night before going to sleep he would write down 6 things he needed to accomplish the next day. As he wrote these 6 things that he needed to accomplish, he visualized and felt as though they were already accomplished. As he slept the unconscious mind would figure out the best way to accomplish his goals. This is how the unconscious mind works. The unconscious mind (while we are asleep) gives us clues and suggestions to the best route to take while going after goals (during the day).The next day he would work on accomplishing his goals. Before the day end he made sure the 6 things were accomplished."
(I am not sure where I got this story. If you wrote it, let me know.)
What a wonderful way of handling your worries. Write them down and trust you will know how to handle them. Then get busy with the knowledge you gather in your sleep.
Sheila
Sheila – I have heard this technique many times (and use it, although sporadically) to great effect, but never thought of it as a way to actually get to sleep. It makes sense – put your thoughts on paper and you don’t need to have them swirl around in your head thing!
Thanks,
Geoff
I have had a lot going on lately. I found that this works really well. It is like putting the thought into the Universe and knowing it will be handled.
Sheila
Great post, Sheila. I have done it in periods of my life. I read about it in a book by Jack Canfield. I had remarkable results when ending the day by planning the next day. and now when talking about sleep, I do remember that it gave me peace to have written my thoughts for the next day down. I remember something I read. A very successful man was asked what the secret to his success was. He said: Every night I write down what to do the next day. And then I do it!”
Claus