Whatever Gets You Through the Night, or, Six Ways to Get to Sleep and Stay That Way!

Okay, so now we know that the size of the bailout so far is absolutely unprecedented in our history. Research shows that the current cost of bailout spending is equal to the inflation-adjusted cost of the Louisiana Purchase, NASA's Race to the Moon, the Korean War, the Iraq invasion and the Vietnam War...combined. Might even be closing in on Pat Field's shoe budget for the next SATC movie! Scary.

Fiat money being printed like Gutenberg gone mad and gold penetrating the inflation predicting resistance level of a thousand bucks an ounce while China shines its global domination boots. And then there's health care. Oh don't get me started on health care. I might then break a finger from typing with total ferocity and passion. And, well, being that I pay out of pocket for my policy, that trip to the local Doc in the Box would mean my premiums going up another gajillion dollars a month while the deductible doubles. So just don't get me started there alright?

Any wonder why we can't get to sleep at night?

Time to take back control.

1. Clean up the clutter in your bedroom. All the clutter in your bedroom. Period. No ifs, ands or boxers that recently came off your butt about it, you will sleep more soundly if you clean up the mess. This sort of clutter, the kind that falls under the category of 'disorganzied' or 'untidy' represents stagnation on a mental level and scrambles the mind. Use that hamper your mother brought you.
2. Sheets should be pastel. Bedding should be bland. Two pillows per person. No exceptions.
3. Make sure that you have only soft or 'ying' colors, around the bedroom as well. No big, bold primary colors painted anywhere or on anything. Nope, no reds or oranges or even yellows allowed. Rather, try to use soft hues of blues and greens. Serenity and peace. In that order.
4. On to a small cotton ball, shake three drops each of both lavender and chamomile essential oils. Long believed to be the Lunesta of Mother Nature's fragrant pharmacy, these two oils acting in combination with one another bring a new and different sort of scentual experience to the bedroom.
5. Count your blessings. Really. It works. And, while you're at it, remember to say "thanks" too. Gratitude garners a whole lot bigger rewards than just a good night's sleep. And, well, what else do you have to do while you're waiting for the Sandman ?
6. Lastly, don't forget that the last thing that you see and hear before you fall off to sleep at night (as well as the first thing you spy when you awake) holds tremendous influence and impact on your psyche and your subconscious. Put something inspirational in your line of sight and turn off the TV a full half hour earlier than you're used to. Soft colors, soft sheets, soft pillows, soft scents and soft thoughts. A good night's sleep might not be so hard to get after all.

Sweet dreams!

 

 

Follow Ellen Whitehurst on Twitter: www.twitter.com/EllenWhitehurst

Comments

[whateverlolawants]

Good tips. I like sleep CDs too. I got one at Target that's great. Lately I've massaged my palm with my other thumb- relaxes me so quickly. It works for my friend too. I like to have more than one trick in my bag, so another one I've used is to count in German. It's been 6+ years since I've taken any German, so it's practice, but moreover, it requires enough thought that my mind probably won't wander away to other thoughts, but not so much that it keeps me wide awake. I usually fall asleep by funfzig or so (fifty :). Another friend uses that trick too, once I told her about it. Finally, I've never done this, but another friend suggests conciously slowing down your thoughts. I'm not sure if my mind could do it, but it works for him. Clearly I have some insomniac buddies, huh?

I have to put in a plug- I work at Bath and Body Works, and we carry a "sleep" aromatherapy line with 4 different scent blends (including lavender and chamomile.) The scents come in lotions, pillow mists, bubble baths, plug-in scent diffusers, etc. I like one of the pillow mists. The line sells very well and many customers rave about it to me- otherwise I wouldn't bother mentioning it off the clock. :) And so I don't sound like a corporate shill, you can probably find similar products at a drug store.

[less 0305]

Excellent article!! Love your information, advice, and straight-forward method of delivering it!! Huffington, keep Ellen coming!

[Bendahhan]

thumbs up like always..bless your heart for your empowerment and all the best to you.
T.

[dimc]

I love reading Ellen! She always has something positive to say that motivates us to take control of our lives.

[Beatriz36]

This was a GREAT article, I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you Ms. Whitehurst very simple, to the point, a natural cure that makes sense. Please keep us posted with much much more that we can definately use simple and easy!

[pillette]

Ok, you inspired me. Going to start with Lavender and Chamomile oils on cotton balls this evening and then after a good night's sleep I'm going to dive into organizing my nest. Here's to positive thoughts and clearing out the clutter. Thanks!

[Brendaza]

I just want to say that I like reading me Ellen post everyday. She is sensational, she knows how to lift one's spirit. Ellen has great advise on every department and I am thrilled to be able to read her column now at this website too. I first found Ellen on Redbook magazine, I google her name and found her very own empowering website, then I followed her on Ivillage and now that the huffingtonpost added her to their team I feel happy to be a part of her sucess.

Thank you Ellen for sharing your thoughts with us.

Brenda.

[JennyDavis]

I thought to myself when I started reading "oh great, another political speech about what should be going on in the world today," but to my relief you understand what's really going on! Thank you so much for the helpful hints, I can't remember the last time I slept through a whole night without waking up for no good reason and not being able to go back to sleep. Thanks so much from all of us sleep deprived people!

[frankiecarl]

Just bought the essential oils for immediate test tonight. What great suggestions! I am forwarding this post to my friends who are stressed because of the economy and their futures. Best of all, you made me laugh - your clever phrases and analogies are medicine too! Thanks :)

[timezone]

Great info, Ms. Whitehurst. Having gone through an overnight sleep clinic, you had better tips than they did on the xeroxed sheet they gave me! I have a lavender mist spray that definitely is relaxing. I also found getting rid of tv in the bedroom is very helpful. Some people say one shouldn't read before going to bed, but I find it relaxing (of course, I guess it depends on what one is reading, a murder mystery might not be so relaxing!). I'm very sensitive to my environment and I don't think many people realize how much what sees, the scents in the air and sound affect them. Oh, and I found some great sleep cd's that I play that definitely help take things down a notch (Amazon is great because usually there are samples to listen to and often you can buy used). ! I look forward to more posts from you, especially on things like focus (I meditate, but am always trying to avoid distractions) and ways to simplify.

[oldgeek1]

Where were you when Michael Jackson needed help.