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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on March 8, 2007, at 21:51:46
I've been having trouble falling and staying asleep this past month or two. T has been working with me on finding a way to help make the transition to bedtime a little easier. She's been helping me to find a safe place in my world and in my mind.
I've found it.
It's in my 4 poster cherry bed. Handmade for me to celebrate my marriage. My sheets are high thread count and are freshly laundered every day. The down comforter is substantial but not heavy. There is a non-allergenic cat curled up at my tummy and the world is quiet and calm. I can allow myself to drift away to sleep and also allow my mind to rest there during the day sometimes too.
The best part is that my safe place exists in real life.
Here's how I try to practice "The Art of Bedtime" (isn't that a lovely line that my T gave me? I used it today in therapy and she said that it was lovely- I told her that it was her line and she laughed:) (((T)))
An hour pre-bedtime I make a pot of herbal tea. Sleepytime with peppermint and tilia aka Lindenblüte or lindenblossoms. Or a relaxing herbal blend I got from the Asian market. Also peppermint, chamomile and has some valerian traces in it too... and I allow my movements to become a little more supple and more heavy and relaxed.
I can draw myself a warm bath and dump in a handful of epsom salts to help relax my muscles. Skin absorbs the Magnesium and it is calming and soothing to the mind too. A few drops of lavender oil, or some luxury organic pinkgrapefruitpomegranate body wash that I got at the healthfood store. Pretty things. After my little soak, I can put on my shea body butter that is pinkgrapefruit scented and think of my sweet sister-in-law who sent it to me in a care package last year when I was so depressed.
And Jammies. I never had jammies growing up. They are these things that people wear while they sleep. They come in different materials. I have some velour ones for arctic nights, some flannel ones for winter nights and some knit cotton ones for warmer nights. and my jammies are warm and cozy and then I can crawl into bed.
There's a fleece bag in my bed right now that is filled with dried rice and lavender flowers. I've thrown it into the microwave for 4 minutes and it's been warming up my bed.
I try to move slowly and fluidly, even if there is a lot of stuff churning in my head, I can cause it to relax if I keep a relaxed body.
I have a white noise machine and earplugs and a satin sleep mask. I can make my bed with soft flannel sheets or smooth cotton sheets and curl up with my non-allergenic cat (um fleeced heat pack) on my tummy).
I think nice calm thoughts and try to feel the cat purring (sorry if I sound crazy, but I AM crazy. delightfully so.)
And I pretend like my husband is already asleep right there next to me, but that he won't elbow me or steal my covers (he tends wraps himself up IRL, burrito style). And we keep each other safe and warm and happy and I drift off to sleep.
The end
zzzZZZzzz
Posted by peddidle on March 8, 2007, at 22:43:39
In reply to My Safe Place, posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on March 8, 2007, at 21:51:46
That was beautiful LLurpsie!!
I can't believe you never had jammies growing-up! But at least you have them now. :)
It sounds so wonderful to have your cat curled up next to you and purring. It's really comforting to have a pet in bed with you while you sleep. I would love it if my dog slept with me when I'm home, but she sleeps with my parents.
Can I ask you a question, though? You say that you think nice warm thoughts...how are you able to do that? I don't really have a problem falling asleep (it's the actual going to bed part that I have trouble with), but it would be a good thing to do other times when I have all these depressing thoughts in my head.
Congrats on finding your happy place. Sleep well!
Posted by Happyflower on March 9, 2007, at 18:25:41
In reply to Re: My Safe Place, posted by peddidle on March 8, 2007, at 22:43:39
You place sounds so nice, I wish I had a place like it. I never had real pj's either, so now I love to buy the comfey ones. You saw my penguin ones and my blue furry socks! ;-)
Can I hang out on your couch for awhile? It was comfey too, and nice sheets too! and all your wonderful tea's on your little tray, so inviting, and your out of season blooming flowers surounded by cheerful xmas lights around your windows with every little mini shampoo, conditioner, and face cleaner anyone could ever want or ask for! . And who could ever forgot our unique passion for frogs. LOL
I miss you. ((((((Llurpsie))))))
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