It’ll kill ya!
The proverbial bus. If someone tosses an electric fire into the bath while you are in it. And stress will too.
So, what can we do? Always look both ways. And definitely not piss off our partner in the bathroom. But what can we do when we can’t sleep, our mind is spinning and we feel completely overwhelmed and overburdened?
Sleep related problems are one of the most common symptoms reported by people suffering from stress. They struggle to get to sleep or they wake in the night and then can’t go back to sleep.
Even when life is unfolding happily, a couple of nights of sleeping badly can make our world, before so rosy, seem grey and foreboding. How much more so if we are already stressed out by work pressures, a failing personal relationship, money worries, poor personal health or the poor health of loved ones?
A technique I use can help you get sufficient sleep. Let’s be clear, it won’t deal with the root cause(s) of your stress. But if you are able to get enough sleep, you will also be able to operate as best you can during a difficult period in your life.
It’s called the 4-7-8 breathing technique:
- With your tongue touching the roof of your mouth, breathe in through your nose for a count of 4. (For some reason, pushing your tongue against the roof of your mouth helps clear your nose.)
- Hold your breath for a count of 7.
- Breathe out through your mouth for a count of 8.
- Repeat the cycle up to six times.
- The deep breathing helps you relax.
- Focusing on counting clears your mind as with any meditation.
- Some report lower blood pressure over time.
Sweet dreams!
