Carol McClain

Grateful People Sleep Better

By Carol McClain @carol_mcclain

Grateful people sleep better. Writing in a gratitude journal improves sleep, according to a 2011 study published in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being. Spend just 15 minutes jotting down a few grateful sentiments before bed, and you may sleep better and longer. (Pyschology Today,  http://bit.ly/2sRBIR0)

What keeps you up at night?

1. Your health?
2. Someone else’s health or well-being?
3. Money?
4. Souring relationships?

Rarely do we stay awake because too many good things run through our mind. It’s the bad.

Neuroscientist Rick Hanson, says we are velcro for bad ideas. Teflon for good.

Why?

Perhaps it’s the innate instinct to survive. We don’t have to conquer the good to live, but we do have to conquer the bad.

Try replacing the bad thoughts with good. Whatever works for you.

For example:

1. Worried about biopsy? Be thankful for competent doctors.
2. Your father’s health is failing, and he’s in his final days? Be thankful for the time he taught you to ride your bike or drive a car.
3. Money is tight? Be thankful our society has means of making more or consolidating debt or bankruptcy laws that can keep you off the streets.
4. Relationship bad? Think about the times life was good or how this is temporary and God will not allow us to be tempted beyond which we’re able.

None of my examples may appeal to you, but you have the key to ones that will improve your life. Use the key. We have one life to live–be it twenty years or one hundred. When it’s gone, it’s gone. Love it now.

What I’m grateful for today:

1. My husband is one day closer to full mobility and complete freedom from pain for his knee replacement.
2. We have a good rehab center where professionals help.
3. I can still run even though I damaged my toe a year ago.
4. My daughter has a great husband and three talented, good kids.
5. The snow that scares everyone in Tennessee is beautiful and pristine and makes all things bright and beautiful.

For me: it’s rare I can’t sleep, but I have sat up all night in worry. I do not choose to ever let that happen again.

 

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