Sleep, What a Nightmare!
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Every week, HITC's Soul Sister comes to the rescue and answers a question. This week, she deals with sleep, and we meditate on meditation.
Dear Soul Sister
I can't sleep. Random thoughts about my line manager, girlfriend's shoe fetish and several analysts I'd like to throttle plague me. Sleeping pills leave me in a fog, but I'm getting desperate. Any ideas?
JLL, St. John's Wood
Dear JLL
A lot of people struggle with sleep these days, especially living busy, demanding lives. It is hard to be "on" all day and then relax on command when you get home. There isn't a solution that works for everyone, so try out various things and see what works best for you.
Once you've taken off your girlfriend's shoes, begin by looking at very practical things:
It is so easy to get on the awful no-sleep/expectation-of no-sleep/definitely-no-sleep spiral, so find what works for you and don't be tempted by sleeping pills. You will need to make some changes and stick with them, and if all else fails, science has now proven that warm milk really works.
To submit a question, email soulsister@hereisthecity.com. Unfortunately, she can't answer all questions or enter into correspondence.
I can't sleep. Random thoughts about my line manager, girlfriend's shoe fetish and several analysts I'd like to throttle plague me. Sleeping pills leave me in a fog, but I'm getting desperate. Any ideas?
JLL, St. John's Wood
Dear JLL
A lot of people struggle with sleep these days, especially living busy, demanding lives. It is hard to be "on" all day and then relax on command when you get home. There isn't a solution that works for everyone, so try out various things and see what works best for you.
Once you've taken off your girlfriend's shoes, begin by looking at very practical things:
- Are you eating late or drinking too much?
- If you're tense from work, could you go for a brisk evening walk to help your muscles relax?
- Do you have a regular exercise regime (analyst-throttling not included)?
- Consider a gentle style of yoga in the evening, or even a few minutes of meditation.
It is so easy to get on the awful no-sleep/expectation-of no-sleep/definitely-no-sleep spiral, so find what works for you and don't be tempted by sleeping pills. You will need to make some changes and stick with them, and if all else fails, science has now proven that warm milk really works.
To submit a question, email soulsister@hereisthecity.com. Unfortunately, she can't answer all questions or enter into correspondence.
Here Is The Writer : Annegret O'Dwyer
Annegret O'Dwyer is a psychotherapist who has had a practise in Harley Street for 10 years, and recently opened one in Southbank. She is accredited and licensed by the UKCP (United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapy) and the EAP (European Association of Psychotherapists). Her favourite book is How to be Happy by the Dalai Lama, and The Right to Speak by Patsy Rodenburg, and she likes spending her evenings at the cinema or theatre.
www.annegretodwyer.co.uk
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