I used to have no trouble falling asleep, but I would wake up every night between 3 and 3:30 AM. It became unbearable because once awake, with my characteristic light sleep, I couldn't fall back asleep. The more I thought about having to be awake and alert the next day, the harder it became to drift back to sleep, making me even more anxious. My mind would race, filled with endless thoughts. I tried everything: counting sheep, body scans, mindful breathing, but sleep wouldn't come until much later, when the alarm was about to go off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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I would wake up feeling like a zombie, dragging myself through the day, feeling irritable and unable to focus. My son seemed like an impossible threat, my neighbors became more annoying than ever, and everything at work seemed overly complicated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This situation, lasting for days or even weeks, was destabilizing. I started researching online and talking to friends, and everyone seemed to agree that, at my age, it must be a hormonal issue. So, I tried natural remedies, but they didn't help. The situation, except for a few lucky nights, remained unchanged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Having studied Traditional Chinese Medicine, I knew that between 3 and 5 AM, according to the body clock, it's the time of the lungs, associated with sadness and grief. There was something there that I still needed to work on, something calling out to me. A source of unacknowledged sadness, left unattended, hoping it would disappear. This could be one of the reasons why, if like me, you wake up between 3 and 5 AM, it might be good to confront that sadness or grief you're trying to hide. Although it's not easy, it's a challenge worth facing with mindfulness practices, embracing the emotion, and meditation, creating that inner island of inner refuge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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And that is what I did. A few weeks later, when the situation had become unbearable, I decided to dedicate myself more diligently to my morning practices to calm my mind and this uncontrollable, seemingly irrational inner turmoil. I focused more on meditation, mindful breathing, mindful walking, and yoga. And at night, I would spend a few minutes recalling everything that had made my heart happy, feeling deeply grateful. After a few days, the insomnia disappeared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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So, what happened? My mind had calmed down, my heart had found freedom, and I felt protected and confident again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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I recommend exploring various internal practices and creating a routine that focuses on breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga. I suggest creating a morning routine and then preparing for sleep with a series of nighttime rituals. For example, have a light dinner a couple of hours before bed, prepare an herbal tea to help you relax, read an inspiring book, and practice gratitude. Focus on the things that made you grateful during the day and let them fill your heart before sleep. You'll fall asleep faster and your mind will be calmer, making it less likely to wake up during the night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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It's like making peace with life and, let's say, with sleep. Emotions of sadness and grief transform into trust, calm, and serenity. The seemingly irrational agitation fades away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Give yourself a few days of consistent practice, morning and night, and you'll see how you'll start sleeping like a baby again. Consistent and repeated practice is our refuge, where we cultivate our space of peace and tranquility, an oasis of serenity and harmony. We are peace... we just need to come home to ourselves from time to time to remember it. Have a pleasant practice and sweet dreams! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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