Sleep Yearning ~ 7 Compelling Invitations

'One more hour of sleep equals several more hours of much higher productivity. 

 

Our highest priority is to protect our ability to prioritize.'

~    McKeown    ~

 

 

 

 

So ... how many hours do you scrape by on each night? 

 

The specialists tell us we need 8 ... or even 7.  Yet truth be told, many of us try to manage on 6.  Or even 5. 

 

We're not talking about the occasional sleepless night here, but a chronic exhaustion, a distinct lack of energy that saps the essence of who we are, leaving us to sleepwalk through our days in a kind of lethargic survival mode.

 

Perpetually sluggish, we know we're missing the boat when it comes to mental sharpness.  Our ability to focus clearly and complete even the simplest of tasks well seems to be waning.  Decision making has become last minute, slapdash, or based on fear or other nebulous emotions.  We react rather than thoughtfully respond to what comes at us.  And we can't remember the last time there was a zestful creativity or those sky's-the-limit envisionings that give life its vibrant joy and glorious bounce.   

 

This isn't working for us, is it.

 

Check out these 7 little sleep-inducing tidbits that have served me well ... {when I live them out!}

 

1.  Take a hike

30 minutes of walking earlier in the day may boost levels of serotonin, that feel-good hormone that relaxes us.  And the rise in body temperature brought on by walking may signal the brain to lower our temperature hours later, promoting sleep.  Plus, we're able to smile inside, knowing we're taking care of our bodies with regular exercise.

 

2.  No evening caffeine, sugar, or heavy snacks

This should be a no-brainer, but a 9 pm hot fudge sundae with all the trimmings is just not conducive to a good night's sleep.  Going to bed with a full stomach is a recipe for insomnia.  Sorry.

 

3.  A long hot bath

This is my ultimate go-to stress reliever.  Very heavy on the bubbles, please.

 

4.  Cut way back on online activity 

An evening of endless browsing or heavy duty writing absolutely does not work for me.  All I can say is that I wish my favorite blog link-ups were scheduled during the daylight hours, not at 10 or 11pm at night. 

 

5.  No heavy duty discussions

Outside of some gentle pillow talk, I don't know if I can remember any super-productive late night discussions.  This is not the time for major decisions, conflict resolution, or true confessions.  Save it for the daylight hours when you're awake and alert.   

 

6.  Adios to playing Holy Spirit

If you're moving through life feeling like you need to obsessively rescue, fix, or save others, your mind will have a very hard time settling down and you will never be at peace.  Period.  Here's why.

 

7.  Book-light journaling

If it's been a wild few days and my mind is whirling like a crazed dervish, I flip on my little book-light and pull out my journal.  Scratching out my thoughts, feelings, and concerns {no names, please}, processing them well, and then releasing them to the Lover of my soul is hugely helpful and a wonderful benediction to the day.  Deep breathing prayer only adds to the sweet release.  He whispers, 'peace, be still.'  Psalm 127 tells us that He grants sleep to the ones He loves ... if we let Him do His sacred work in our weary, over-burdened souls.

 

*

 

If you find that this collection of ideas isn't making much of a difference, please talk to your doctor.  You might be dealing with a side effect from a medication.  Or experiencing depression.  Sleep apnea might be in the picture.  Or any one of a number of medical challenges that can be diagnosed and treated.  Successfully.

 

Night-night.  Sleep tight.

 

 

/   mommy and me on the beach ~ 1956   /

 

/   sharing these little invitations with Kristen & Holley   /

 

 

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4 Steps to Get Those Creative Juices Flowing Again

"When working on The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci regularly took off from painting

for several hours at a time and seemed to be daydreaming aimlessly.  

Urged by his patron, the prior of Santa Maria delle Grazie, to work more continuously,

da Vinci is reported to have replied, immodestly but accurately, 

'The greatest geniuses sometimes accomplish more when they work less.'"

 =  Schwartz  =
 

If it was good enough for Leonardo, it just might be good for us.  Rest.  Daydreaming.  Re-creation.  Playtime.  Especially if the creative flow is slowly but surely waning.  And we realize that boredom, restlessness, or something strangely off-kilter is descending, bringing with it unfulfilling, yawn-inspiring work.  Same old same old activities.  Fading relationships.  Or ministry involvement that seems to be going nowhere.

And we're feeling a bit dried up, kind of crispy around the edges. 

Maybe we're striving too hard to make life happen.  To reach success ... or even make it through the day.  Goal-driven, our to-do lists have become unwieldy and we're unable to simply be in the moment.  Someone always wants a piece of us.  Calendars are jam-packed.  And every hour is laced with incessant texting, Facebook and/or email checking, and other mindless craziness. 

Is it any wonder we're so tightly wound? 

Less, not more, is sounding more and more appealing, isn't it.  Social media's incessant noise, the endless demanding clutter of possessions, and a sedentary lifestyle that's slowly evolved over time are keeping us from blooming healthy and strong.  Daydreaming, playing, and creating?  Those pastimes have become a distant faded memory.

 

4 STEPS TO GET THOSE CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING

1.  Unplug 
Without thought, we've invited screens to invade our every waking moment.  They now accompany us everywhere we go.  In all sizes, they demand our involvement, define who we are, and call the shots of our lives.  Obsessed we are.  Literally. 

The good news?  We get to choose what to do with our addiction to social media and technology.  If we dare. 

2.  Unpack
Simplicity and minimalism walk hand in hand, softly, urgently calling our names.  We're too encumbered with our stuff ... and we know it.  Buying it, cleaning it, sorting it, moving it, decorating it, adjusting it, throwing it in the corner, storing it, paying for it. 

The good news?  We get to choose what we want to do with the avalanche of possessions that steal our energy, our joy, our wallets, our focus.

3.  Head outdoors
Fresh breezes, new vistas, the smells and sights and sounds of creation beckon.  Our heads begin to clear and hearts open wide as our feet hit the grass, sand, or pavement.  These moments are the best venues for conversations with the Lord or with those who walk alongside.  The spaciousness of creation opens up our abilities to sort through situations that are complex, weird, or confusing.  Brilliant little snippets of ideas come and settle in for us to savor and act on. We breathe deep.  And smile.  

The good news?  This doesn't cost us a dime.

4.  Doodle   
Long ago, most of us were natural creators.  Fingerpainting, drawing, coloring, designing, sculpting, digging in the sand.  It's time to ferret out the old arts and crafts stuff ... or invest in some new goodies.  And simply start to doodle around a bit.  We shouldn't judge our fledgling masterpieces too harshly.  But instead, laugh out loud as we revel in this simplest of childhood joys.  And see where it takes us.

The good news?  Most of us have been yearning to play again.  We just didn't know it.

 

What are you doing to get YOUR creative energy flowing?

 

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=  daydreaming with Kristen  &  Holley  =

Paranoid . . . or Proactive?

 

We chat on the phone as we prepare for the workday that stretches out ahead, talking through a series of decisions made and all the accompanying whys and wherefores.  We reflect on the steady stream of overwhelming choices thrown at us right and left as we wade through the oft' cumbersome subject of wellness.  The appointments, the tests, the consultations, the research, the gene pool, the medication, the insurance.  And the oh-so-challenging, never ending alteration of lifestyle in midlife.  The healthier eating and the exercise of aging limbs and muscles, heart and lungs.

Sigh.

For this is the positive, proactive route to take as we continue to run into the unknowns on this, our life journey.  Avoiding the whiffs of paranoia that dance enticingly toward us.  And drawing a line in the sand right smack dab in the middle of the treacherous hills and the dark valleys and the winding curves that sometimes threaten to throw us right off the edge into the terrifying abyss that looms far below.

And that line in the sand is this -

I  .  WILL  .  NOT  .  OPERATE  .  FROM  .  A  .  PLACE  .  OF  .  FEAR

Sane decision-making is all about making care-filled choices while we have the power to consider our options.  This goes hand in hand with much needed changes in behavior, all steered by the steady desire of our hearts to make it our goal to please Him.  Decisions driven not to get someone else off our backs or satisfy their strong opinions.  But thought-filled, prayer-soaked, common sense determinations that sprout wings and fly and give us a better chance of healthy living in the years ahead.

And this verse, right here - God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.   We operate not from that numbing paralysis of fear, but from a place of peace-fueled confidence.  Because He provides a measure of sanity and clarity and wisdom when we ask Him to step into the mix.

It's time for all that paranoid-laced fear to depart, yes?  Choosing instead to re-focus on cultivating that strengthening connection with our Sustainer.  Growing in that safe place where the daily power of His loving peace blooms and grows healthy and strong deep in the soul.  And enables us to head forward with some measure of confidence, living life well, knowing we did what we could along the way.  Leaving that whole health and wellness piece in the Great Physician's all-loving, incredibly wise hands. 

The words of Jesus whisper sweet through the indwelling Holy Spirit -  'Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.'

==> come with me to Nancy's  .  Beth's  .  Kristen's  .  Courtney's

Essentials for Wellness

I originally wrote this way back in 2005 for the e-zine I published for many years, THE CROSSROADS JOURNAL.  (E-zines, short for 'electronic magazines,' were the forerunners of blogs!)  As I update these thoughts today, I'm feeling a bit convicted of some changes that I need to consider. 

You, too?

Linda

#1.  NOURISHMENT
Check out your kitchen cabinets and the fridge. Lots of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, bottled water and juices? Or piles of processed foods and bags of junk food that raise your cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight? No wonder we're so lethargic! If you don't bring the junk food into the house, you and your family are much less likely to eat it. Add 6-8 glasses of water each day to hydrate your system.

#2.  EXERCISE

You don't need to purchase an expensive membership at the health club or spends lots of money on equipment that will end up becoming a clothes rack.  Get yourself some decent walking shoes and hit the road, the track, or the park.  15-20 minutes a day, three days a week is a good start.

#3.  SLEEP
Most adults need 8 hours a night. Many of us exist on 4-6. (The key word there is "exist.") If you want to thrive, you need deep restorative sleep that will re-energize your body - on a daily basis, not just the weekend. Simply turn off the TV - and go to bed.

#4. MEDICAL CARE
When was the last time you had a full physical exam? Been to the dentist this year? Had your meds re-evaluated recently? Scheduled those tests and procedures that should have been taken care of months ago? Go ahead and make the calls you need to make and line those appointments up - for you and the ones you care for.

#5.  GET A LIFE

More and more of us have few interests beyond the technology around us ... bigger screens, updated computers, techno-toys.  When was the last time you checked books out of the library?  Considered painting, gardening, hiking, photography, skating, scrapbooking, volunteer work, joining a team?  Is this the time to go back to school?  Or are you hearing God's call for you to minister to others?  Get off the couch and do something!

#6.  PEOPLE
Who builds you up, encourages you, strengthens you?  Who's fun, lifts your spirits, makes you want to be a better person?  Give them a call and make plans to get together.  Laughter provides renewed energy and perspective to life.  Sitting around waiting for someone to call you?  You will, most likely, be disappointed.

#7.  SPIRITUAL LIFE

Interaction with God is the foundation for all healthy, balanced living.  Time meditating on the truths of His Word, praying, and journaling gives insight, perspective, correction, comfort, guidance, and wisdom.  When's your best time of day?  Reserve a portion of that for interaction with Him.

"Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health
and that all may go well with you,
even as your soul is getting along well"

- 3 John 2.

Lame Excuses

I had to smile as I read "Say Goodbye to Alibis." I'll be the 1st to raise my hand and admit that I can entertain some very creative, yet lame excuses when I don't choose to eat nutritious food or stick with an ongoing fitness routine. Even after a substantial weight loss this past year, I'm realizing that maintaining a healthy lifestyle will always be an ongoing challenge for me.

So I appreciated the author's responses to such all-time favorites as:

"I'm too tired."

"I just had a baby."

"I'll do it tomorrow."

"I'm too old."

My challenge? Take a few minutes to jot down your favorite excuses. And then decide what you want to do with all those alibis. They're getting kind of old, aren't they ...

Are you ready to release them to the only One who can help you make those oh-so-hard choices?

In the boat with you ~

Linda

"I can do all things through Him who gives me strength"
- Philippians 4:13.

A Toolbelt for Wellness

When it comes to health and wellness, setting goals is important. Tools that help you track your progress are vital. They keep you focused, cognizant of your progress, and caution you when you're headed in the wrong direction.

Here's a great new health tracker where you can keep tabs on your food and nutrition, activity and metabolism, weight stats and goals, body measurements, and emotional state of mind. Best of all, it's FREE - a simple sign-up is all that's required!

So go ahead and add this tool to your arsenal. It might be just what you need to align your actions with your target! Remember - good health and wellness is a journey, not a one-time accomplishment. Don't go it alone. Be sure to utilize the aid that's available to you!

Celebrating wellness ~
Linda

5 Tools For Improving Your Memory

Losing your memory ... or wondering where you left it? Check out 5 tools that just might sharpen your attention, bring things into clearer focus, and equip you to make a plan for improved retention!

Some days ...

Linda