Insomnia and learning, soaking up Pinterest and tips on how to empty your head before bed.
“An introduction to #Nota9to5kindoflifestyle”
I used to suffer from really bad insomnia. A mixture of anxiety, university projects, family illness, late nights DJing and going out. It was really bad. Too many nights phoning my parents at 5am to talk me through panic attacks. My dad not understanding and my mum trying to calm me down via a phone-line. It wasn’t nice!
It got better as the years went on. I learnt coping strategies to help me fall asleep and eventually things settled down.
Having a full mind led to struggles with sleep. It’s common for most. Trying to rest when you can’t switch off the noise of thoughts, makes finding peace seem impossible.
I used to try and do mundane tasks like washing the dishes to fill the sleepless nights. I remember one particular flatmate who couldn’t believe how tidy the kitchen was all the time. Even when we had guests and it was his turn to clean up I would make sure the place was spotless.
I spent endless nights watching the moon turn into the sun because I bought into a study that said the bedroom should only be used for sleep and sex. It wasn’t long before I stopped heeding research advice and would gaze at Pinterest infographics about self-development, mindset, time management, and all sorts of learning.
I set up boards based on productivity, business development, and also visioning of holidays. I was soaking up knowledge, ideas, and motivation. Inevitably I would fall asleep with the intention of going back through my boards.
It was here where I noticed patterns being repeated. The same things coming up all the time.
When I started reading many books, going to talks, and chatting to peers with a growth mindset I noticed these same behaviours.
It was this solid grounding that allowed me to pull together my own processes and to shape what my day to day would look like.
I cured insomnia by learning to switch off at the end of my working day. I made space for careful planning and writing things down. Once it was on paper, it was out my head and I could leave it on the page.
I also learned to associate my bedroom with where I go to sleep. Now I only go to bed and try to sleep when I am tired.
If, like many, you’re struggling with sleep especially during this strange time, try writing down worries before going to bed. Try making your bed as soon as you get up and leave your bedroom in the morning. Head into another room and only head back to bed when you feel tired.
Start writing down your plan for the next day before you leave your current day.
You can follow regular tips at #nota9to5kindoflifestyle
For tips on how to be more productive on you or to-do list, read “Eat that Frog.”
