We tend to view sleep as a medical or scientific phenomenon to be observed, tested, quantified, and of course, medicated. I think we need to focus more on the internal experience of sleep: what kinds of feelings and experiences come up during the course of the night, and how can we respond to them most effectively to enhance the depth and restfulness of our sleep?
Few of us enjoy awakening during the night. We want our sleep to be deep and continuous. As a result, when we do awaken during the night, we feel frustrated, angry, or afraid. And frustration, anger, and fear are highly stimulating emotions. They are so stimulating that they wake you up even more, and make it hard to get back to sleep!
But the fact is, nighttime awakenings are perfectly normal and natural parts of the sleep process. All of us wake up several times during the night, though we may not be aware of it. Next time you awaken during the night, instead of getting frustrated, angry, or afraid, say to yourself, "This brief awakening is perfectly normal. I will remain calm, reschedule any troubling thoughts or feelings until morning, and allow my mind and body to drift back into that sleepy, dreamy state that leads me to sleep."
What is your experience of sleep? How did you sleep last night? Let us know!
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