Are you having trouble sleeping because your mind can’t stop thinking? Is it when you first go to bed or is it when you wake up in the middle of the night?  You know you need to get to sleep but anxiety about the upcoming day or a past event starts creeping in.  You keep looking at the clock and time is dragging on and on.  The relaxation and calmness that you crave just isn’t there while you are lying in bed.  Maybe you even get up out of bed because you can’t stand it anymore.  You want a night of good sleep but you only get more aggravated that you are not getting it!  Your mind keeps obsessing over and over.

Training your mind to stay in the present moment and not worry about the future or the past helps improve sleep.  Do a mind exercise that gets you to notice something about your environment in the present moment.  The Five Senses is easily done while you are in bed or anywhere in your home.  It involves using your eyes, touch, ears, nose, and mouth.  Look around the room and name 5 things.  Pick up less obvious things, such as the shadow the electric wall plate makes on the wall or the spec of dirt on the carpet.  Next name 4 things that you  feel.  The breeze on your arms from the fan or clothing on your skin is an example.  Three things that you hear.  Two things that you smell and one thing that you taste.  This focus will move your mind away from the obsession and anxiety.  Do it as many times as necessary to clear your head.  If you need more help Bridging Harts is seeing people online or in the office.  Contact [Please enable JavaScript to view this email address] for more information.