Creating Mental Peace PM
Because The Mentality You Bring To Bedtime Matters
Have you ever watched a scary movie in the evening? Then that night you have nightmares or you are replaying the movie in your dreams all night long? This is because while you sleep your brain is going over your day. A review of sorts. Your brain is going to spend time ruminating and trying to make sense of what you did and learned that day, especially what you did right before you fell asleep. This is because having melatonin in your system (one of the sleepy hormones) makes you more susceptible and mentally absorbent. As we get closer to bed time and the melatonin in our bodies increases and we take in more information.
This can be a tool for good or evil. Marketing firms fight harder to advertise to you first thing in the morning and right before bed, because they understand the science of how easy you are to manipulate at these times when your melatonin levels are at their peak. Making you more likely to buy the thing, or believe the propaganda. Another reason you shouldn’t pick up your phone as soon as you wake up. Here is what to do instead Creating Mental Peace AM But just as they are using this vulnerable state to manipulate you, you can use this same state to “re program” yourself.
Further more, we process trauma in our sleep. So if you have set your heart racing and brain swirling right before bed, that stress is going to make for a restless night, ensuring you don’t process your trauma, keeping you trapped in PTSD.
Reprograming Your Brain For Peace
Having PTSD means your brain is always convinced that you are in danger. These times of high melatonin are the perfect opportunity to tell your brain and nervous system that you are safe.
Here Is How You Leverage This State Of Vulnerability
You’ve probably heard it said 100 times over but, it strongly bears repeating. Turn off all screens an hour before bed. This allows you to be in charge of the state your brain is in well before your head hits the pillow. No surprise triggers for you my friend. Study after study shows that being on screens disturbs sleep, even if you are watching something fun and wholesome. Like I just said, sleep = trauma processing. You must get good sleep in order to heal your PTSD.
No screens means you can now fill your mind and time with positive healing things. I sincerely love ending my day with a good old brain dump journaling session. I love grabbing a cup of tea, and pouring all my mental contents into the pages of my journal. I can honestly say that this has really improved my sleep. Which is a big deal for me, just ask my husband. Not sure about journaling? Let me help you with that.
Journaling! Write it down to get it out!
If you must do something entertaining before bed I recommend listening to a relaxing or self help podcast, or audio book. The reason this matters is that what you fill your mind with right before sleep, is what you will ruminate on while sleeping. Listen to things that you want to integrate into your life and who you are. This is the perfect time.
Sleep in a peaceful environment. Ideally in a dark cool room, with white noise, and a cozy bed. But we don’t all function the same. I know that some people can’t sleep without the tv on. Did you know that your sense of hearing is the only sense that does not sleep? This is a survival mechanism from the times of the cave people. While you sleep you are vulnerable, being able to hear could mean the difference between a lion eating you and waking up in time to defend yourself. This means that while you sleep your brain is picking up every sound in the room and taking in that information subconsciously. So if Rescue 911 is playing on the TV while you are sleeping, you are likely hearing the panic in the voice of the caller, the sirens from the fire trucks. The opportunity here is that you can play something on the TV that works to your benefit. Play something that is calm, educational, or self improving. I have a pair of headphones that are designed for sleeping in. Every night I fall asleep to a Deep Imaging from To Be Magnetic https://tobemagnetic.comThese are guided meditations with a purpose. They are backed by science to work on reprogramming your nervous system and subconscious thinking. They have been a full on game changer for me. Not sponsored. Wish I was. I put on the Inner Child, Deep Imagining on days when I wish my parents had protected me. The Nervous System Reset on days when I’ve felt stressed, or Unblocked when I feel like I can’t make progress.
Lets Wrap It Up
What you do before bed is vitally important to your mental health. Setting yourself up for success is up to you. Set an alarm on your phone an hour before bed to remind yourself to turn off all the screens, light up some candles, hop in the tub, and love yourself into healing.
Hang in there friend. You’re in good company.
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