Tag: mindful

My Mission, My Vision

Just JourneyingLeave a comment

What is your mission?

I was looking to the starts one night pondering and reflecting on my life. I began to think of all my goals and aspirations and as I do, a question pops up in my head. The question itself made me stop and think. “What is your mission Beverly?” Such a heavy question. A packed question.

I wasn’t lost in thought long before my answer sprung up inside my head. My mission was to help guide people to their most healthiest selves. To provide knowledge that can be applied easily to everyday life. To provide simple ways and ideas to lead a healthy lifestyle. To provide tips and tricks on how to heal their bodies naturally from the inside out. Whether it be through food, drink, or fitness, I am here to guide the way.

Why else would Holistic Health and Healing be my passion?

Coming to that realization, I began to think of ways I can do more to accomplish said mission. Tons of ideas came flooding in. One of those ideas was to start a blog.

Writing has always be another passion of mine and I have always found it easier to express my thoughts and feelings through writing.

This is my way of helping change a life one blog post at a time. The mission is to inspire and initiate change.

Till next time,

Your Holistic Healer

Sleep Disorders: Confessions from an Insomniac

Just JourneyingLeave a comment

Sleep disorders can be incredibly frustrating and debilitating. As someone who has struggled with insomnia for years, I can attest to the toll it takes on both my physical and mental well-being.

One of the most challenging aspects of insomnia is the feeling of utter exhaustion but being unable to fall asleep. It’s like my body and mind are in a constant battle, and no matter how tired I am, sleep eludes me. The nights seem to stretch on endlessly, with my mind racing and thoughts swirling around in my head, making it nearly impossible to find any peace.

The consequences of chronic sleep deprivation are far-reaching. I find myself struggling with concentration and memory, which affects my performance at work and my ability to engage in daily activities. It’s also been linked to increased anxiety and depression, which only exacerbates the problem further.

The frustration of trying every recommended technique to improve sleep, from establishing a bedtime routine to creating a sleep-friendly environment, only adds to the feeling of hopelessness. Counting sheep, meditating, and trying relaxation techniques become exercises in futility. It’s disheartening to put so much effort into something that seems to come so naturally to others.

The impact on relationships cannot be ignored either. The lack of sleep can make me irritable and short-tempered, causing strain with loved ones. Explaining my struggle to others can be challenging as well, as some may not understand the debilitating nature of insomnia and dismiss it as something that can be easily overcome.

There are moments when I feel like I am losing control over my own body, as if sleep has become an elusive friend that I desperately yearn for but cannot grasp. It’s a constant battle between wanting to rest and fearing another night of tossing and turning.

However, amidst the frustration and despair, there is hope. Seeking professional help, such as visiting a sleep specialist or therapist, can provide valuable insights and strategies to manage sleep disorders. Medication may also be prescribed to help regulate sleep patterns.

I have learned to embrace self-care practices that promote relaxation and calmness, such as practicing mindfulness, engaging in regular exercise, and avoiding caffeine and electronics before bed. Creating a soothing bedtime routine and sticking to a consistent sleep schedule has also proven beneficial.

While the journey towards better sleep may be long and challenging, it is important to remember that I am not alone. Many others share similar struggles, and there is a community of support that can offer understanding and advice.

Sleep disorders may be a constant part of my life, but they do not define me. I am a resilient individual who refuses to let insomnia control my life. I am determined to find ways to manage and cope with the challenges it presents.

I have learned to prioritize self-care and make my sleep health a priority. This means setting boundaries and making adjustments to my lifestyle to create a sleep-friendly environment. I have made my bedroom a sanctuary, free from distractions and conducive to relaxation. I have established a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends, to regulate my body’s internal clock.

I have also become more mindful of my thoughts and stress levels, as anxiety and racing thoughts can often contribute to my insomnia. I practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation to quiet my mind and prepare my body for sleep.

Seeking support from loved ones and the sleep disorder community has been invaluable. Connecting with others who understand the struggles of insomnia has provided me with a sense of belonging and validation. Sharing experiences, tips, and advice has given me a broader perspective and a renewed sense of hope.

While there may be nights when sleep feels elusive, I remind myself to be patient and kind to myself. It’s important to remember that sleep is a natural process that will eventually come. In the meantime, I focus on practicing good sleep hygiene and allowing myself to rest, even if sleep doesn’t come easily.

Sleep disorders may be a constant battle, but I refuse to let them define my life. I am resilient, determined, and committed to finding ways to improve my sleep health. With the right strategies, support, and self-care practices, I am confident that I can manage my insomnia and live a fulfilling life.

If you are battling sleep disorders or insomnia and you are reading this blog, please remember that there’s hope and there will be peace. Keep your head up and continue to create a routine that will allow you to get the most rest. See you all in my next post!

Sleeping Much?

Just JourneyingLeave a comment

With today’s society being so fast and on the move all the time, some of us have a harder time catching up and/or staying caught up and it takes a toll on our health. One of the reasons is not getting enough— scratch that, not getting adequate sleep. Because what you think is enough may not be what your body says is enough.

I speak from experience. I have a very difficult time falling asleep without the use of melatonin. If I don’t take melatonin, I’m up for hours. Then I crash, but not for long, for I also have difficulty staying asleep (melatonin works wonder for that as well). Well long story short, my sleep cycle never really completes itself and I wake up fatigued.

I’m sharing this because so many people are sleep deprived and don’t even know it. You don’t have to have insomnia to be sleep deprived. All you have to do is take a look at your sleeping patterns and note how you feel when you go to sleep and wake up. There are two questions you can ask yourself, 1) Do I wake up feeling any better than I did when I went to sleep? 2) How many hours of rest do I tend to get at night?

Now, answer honestly and don’t embellish. If you answer Yes to #1 then great! Let’s move on to question #2, how many hours rest do you tend to get at night? If you answer 6-8 hours then you’re doing fabulous and keep it up! If you answered lower than that then unfortunately, you are considered sleep deprived. In my personal opinion, there is room for disparity. Just like with mostly everything else, nobody is the same. Your body may require more or less rest than your best friend and age also plays a role.

If you know yourself and remember your best night’s sleep and roughly how many hours you slept, then you can gauge from there what your ideal sleep schedule would be. Now if you work overnight, your schedule is going to be a little wonky but don’t worry, even you can get a regular and healthy sleep cycle going.

Before I go on, I’m no sleep expert and I don’t claim to be all knowing in the subject. In fact, I’m still working on my own sleep habits. I’m just speaking from experience and sharing what I have learned in my schooling and by doing research myself. My goal is to share this knowledge and help educate you on the topic at hand. Health starts within. How can we truly perform at our optimal levels without optimal rest?

Also, the body does most of its healing while we sleep. The less we sleep, the less time the body has to do its repairs. So, we are literally setting ourselves up for failure by being sleep deprived. Don’t Worry! It’s not too late to change things. And that’s the whole point of this post.

I mentioned earlier in the reading that I take melatonin to help me get to sleep and stay asleep. It’s been a saving grace. I definitely recommend coming up with a solid sleep schedule first, and then consistently taking the melatonin at the same time before sleeping. When I did this, my body became synchronized, and I would eventually get to sleep on my own and stay asleep on my own. It was the best. I speak in past tense because since then I have gone through many changes and fell off of my schedules and routines. Side note: Do not beat yourself up for falling off. Just don’t give up. You are only doing a disservice to yourself.

Another thing that helped me with my sleep routine was my workout routine. Around the time I was getting my best sleep, I was also consistently working out and it increased my chances of a great nights rest. I’m not going to get into all the technicalities of why that is in this post but try it for yourself and see if it helps you. I don’t recommend working out right before bed, but a few hours before bed followed by a nice warm soak or shower, that definitely should do the trick.

I also recommend mindfulness. I like to think I am mindful quite often but in reality, I still have a long way to go. That’s another topic for another time. Sitting quietly, in silence and allowing yourself only to think thoughts of gratitude is a practice that needs more discussion in the health industry. You are literally what you think, and your thoughts DO manifest themselves whether you believe it or not. If you are not carefully paying attention to your thought pattern, you can make yourself ill. Negative thoughts are poisonous and as you sit and fester, worry or resent, you are creating a very toxic body on the inside. When you practice mindfulness, you create an environment in and around you that is conducive for healing and positivity. Doing this practice while sitting or lying down in bed before going to sleep is super relaxing and promotes such a satisfying and peaceful sleep.

In my opinion, White noise is overrated. What I like to listen to as I drift off to sleep is Binaural Tones or beats, or subconscious affirmations. Both of these things can aide in physical and mental health restoration. Listening to the soothing voice implant positive thoughts into my head is very relaxing as it encourages me to go to sleep speaking positivity into my dreams and into my life. The different Binaural tones meet different needs of the body, soul and mind. You can target whatever health issue you are combating and let the vibrations and sound waves aide in your healing process (Yes sound heals) and soothe yourself into a peaceful rejuvenating sleep at the same time.

For my overnighters, you can use any or all of these helpful tips too. You would just be on a different schedule than everyone else. And since you most likely sleep when the sun is up, I would recommend getting these Blackout Curtains so that the light does not disturb your sleep. Before I changed my schedule, I was working late evenings and sleeping in during the day like most do. It proved something of a nuisance to sleep for any long period time because my room was just too bright. Enter the Blackout Curtains. What a wonderful invention that I had forgotten all about. They solved my sleep issues during the day, and I was plenty rested for the evening’s shift.

To put it simply, rest is not rest if it isn’t good rest. If you are not sleeping well, your body will not be rested and will remain unrested until you get yourself the necessary sleep that you require. Don’t “sleep” on this advice 😉😄 All puns intended lol. See you guys in the next post!