Day 2 - Upgrade your dreamtime

Good Morning - it's Day 2.
In his book  ‘The Promise of Sleep’, William C. Dement makes the case that one of the reasons we can’t sleep is that we think of it as a duty rather than a pleasure.   
 


​But perhaps what we need most when it comes to sleep is to actually give ourselves permission to enjoy pleasure – and today our magical rest is all about seducing the pleasure of sleep.

Today's tender task of self nurture is to Upgrade Your Dreamtime
 
The first question we have is does your bedroom make you feel calm and relaxed?
 
Are there object there that are triggers for stress – briefcase/ paperwork, bills etc / things in need of repair/ items belonging to others/ stored household items i.e. vacuum cleaner, ironing board, laundry etc?
 
Would you say that there’s a beautiful, peaceful, harmonious energy in your bedroom? 

Do you need to cleanse your bedroom of negative energy?  

Does your bedlinen say a precious being sleeps here?

Choose where you need to direct your energy most today in order to seduce restful sleep. When you give yourself permission to enjoy the pleasure of sleep you need to back that decision with supportive choices. 
 
A few months ago I made the decision to leave my phone at my desk at night and not take it to the bedroom.  I had been waking at about 4am and finding it difficult to return to sleep, I’d occupy myself by checking news headlines, emails, Facebook etc. and then, if that didn’t send me back to sleep, I’d play a game or two.  After a while I wondered if in fact I'd developed a habit of waking to play with my phone and not that my phone was amusing me until I dropped back to sleep.
 
I still waken, but now I choose sleep.  I literally say those words! And happily as a result of  the choices I made to back up and support that quality of life decision, I have far fewer sleepless nights and a deeper more restful quality to my sleep.
 
So today let’s set this month up for a truly magical rest.  Let’s start with the bedroom and for the next 29 days put sleep first.
 

• Put away all devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
• Declutter.  A neat ordered bedroom is soothing on so many levels
• Have a warm bath or shower- it washes away the day and prepares the brain for bedtime.
• Wear dedicated pyjamas and not loungewear you’ve worn during the day.  This supports the bedtime mindset and sleep routine.
• Scent.  An oil diffuser helps to promote peaceful sleep.  Frankincense or Lavender and Angelica Root are perfect and have been used in ayurvedic practices for thousands of years.  They’re also believed to protect us from negative energies.
• Read a physical book that has nothing to do with work or study.
• Crystals.  A calm peaceful energy can be promoted by placing an amethyst on your bedside table.  Lepidolite is rich in lithium and promotes deep relaxation and sleep.  Rose Quartz, Amber and Moonstone are also useful. Be careful.  Some crystals are too powerful for the bedroom and may actually keep you awake!
• Drink a warm bedtime drink of a herbal tea or try out the Golden Dreams Bedtime Drink below.​

 GOLDEN DREAMS BEDTIME DRINK

• 1 and a half cups of unsweetened almond milk
• 1/8 teasp turmeric
• 1/8 teasp cinnamon
• 1/8 teasp ginger powder
• 2 teasps maple syrup
• A pinch of black pepper

Heat the almond milk over medium heat to just under boil. Stir in turmeric, cinnamon, pepper, ginger, maple syrup. 

One of the practices I love for November Bliss is to have a turndown tray on my locker.  Throughout the year I collect samples from the perfume and skin care departments in stores or from magazines etc. and then in it place cuticle oil, hand cream, eye pads, lavender pillow spray etc.  When you waken in the morning, you feel as thought the restful selfcare has already begun!
 
Keep a pen and paper beside your bed so that you can note any dreams, symbols or guidance you may have received during your sleep.
It’s not too late to join us if you have friends or family you feel might benefit from some Magical Rest this month. Give them my email address and I will send them a catch up email so they’re all up to date.

Wishing you sweet dreams tonight and for all the nights to come...

Trina x

---