Are you struggling to sleep?
If you are struggling to sleep at night you may find that you are experiencing anxious thoughts or negative emotions. If your mind is active this can have an impact on your ability to relax…
Further down in this article, I will share some helpful tips on how you can achieve deep relaxation, but first let’s consider why you might be struggling to sleep.
Anxious thoughts about the day or what you need to do the next day
You may feel frustrated in this situation because you know that you need your sleep to function and be at your best to achieve your goals the next day, but the overwhelm is causing you to find sleep difficult. There is nothing you can do between the night time and morning, so what else do you have to do but sleep? Your conscious mind knows this, but your subconscious is the aspect of your mind that is driving the worry.
You may be feeling triggered and not realise it
Perhaps in the past you have experienced stress or anxiety at bedtime and ever since then, it has been a struggle to sleep. Surprisingly for many, this could actually stem from childhood. Hypnotherapy, EFT and Havening, allow my clients to retrieve the relevant memories and emotions that are preventing them from fully relaxing at night time. These memories are often not at the forefront of the mind, which means that applying regression techniques to access the subconscious are much more effective than Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Counselling. Going through a deep healing process can make a huge difference putting your mind at rest.
Poor sleeping habits, diet and environmental factors
Inconsistent sleep patterns, stimulating activities before bedtime and an uncomfortable sleep environment can disrupt sleep. It is important to feel relaxed before sleep. Eating too much or too little, or consuming heavy or rich foods, and alcohol or caffeine late in the evening can cause discomfort. If you are taking any medication this could be impacting your sleep. Additionally, noise, light, and an uncomfortable bedroom temperature can interfere with sleep. Using your phone or computer before bed can also activate your mind.
Hypnotic strategies that can help with sleep
1) Closing your eyes, start with the Progressive Muscle Relaxation. Tighten up your toes and then relax them, then move an imaginary wave of relaxation up over your calves, tighten up your calves and relax them. Continue this over your thighs, stomach, shoulders, arms, hands, face until your whole body is relaxed.
2) Imagine yourself walking down a staircase, counting down with each step, 1…2…3. Imagine his staircase clearly. The colour, what it is made of. It could be adorned with beautiful, colourful flowers, and be made from stone or marble. Be as creative as you like to create a dreamy environment in your mind.
3) At the bottom of the staircase is an enchanted door. Behind this door is a place where you feel relaxed and calm. It could be a happy memory, or a beautiful garden, a secluded golden, sandy beach. Listen to the sounds around you, feel the air temperature on your skin. Drift deeper into these surroundings…
4) If you like, you can imagine a velvet sack, and just imagine placing all your thoughts into the sack and you can leave them there until you are ready, or you may just want to throw them away. Alternatively, you can visualise a clear, flowing stream or river with tall, leafy trees above it. Watch as the leaves, which represent thoughts, fall into the stream and drift away. You can be as creative as you like as you drift off to a lovely, dreamy relaxing sleep.
If you are still struggling, it would be beneficial for you to work with me at Diamond Wellbeing. We can work together online, or in my therapy rooms in Wilmslow, Cheshire. Please get in touch through my website to arrange your free telephone consultation.
