Insomnia (Physician, heal thyself!)

I have recently had a few prolonged bouts of insomnia of the 2-hours-sleep-a-night-if-you’re-lucky variety. Sometimes this means strict measures are required. Here are a few which I engage in this type of situation!

• no caffeine after 2pm … progressing to no caffeine at all
• minimal alcohol intake … progressing to no alc.-at-all
• all devices off 1 hour before bedtime … progressing to no devices, work or thinking whatsoever (including holiday planning, dissecting the day, or analysing my mental state) after 6pm.

I also try ...

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Heart 7 - useful for anxiety

• pressing the Heart 7 acupuncture point. This is on the crease of the wrist (pinkie side) just on the inside of the knobbly bone. For the best effect, just press your thumb on the point, relax, breathe. 
  If any thoughts arise, let them drift on by …Any emotions? Let them be … simply allow them to take their course.
  This point is useful for anxiety, which is often a part of insomnia: I find it very calming.

Another practice I find relaxing before I go to bed, is some gentle movement (designed to help shift attention from mind into body) called 'Qi Gong', in particular this simple exercise:

• stand with feet hip-width apart, toes pointing forwards
• knees slightly bent with your arms hanging at your sides
• breathe fully in as you gently raise (‘float’) your hands (palms down) up at the side to about head height then breathe out and (if you fancy!) vocalise a ‘heeeeeeeeeeeee’ sound as you gently float your arms and hands (soft wrists) back down again.
• Repeat 3 times, feeling your body relax, keeping your feet nicely rooted on the floor. Lovely.

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There are of course other tried and tested methods! These include keeping the feet warm (a personal favourite), which involves socks in warmer weather with the added dimension of the hot water bottle come November; ... a bath before bedtime … occasionally with lavender oil; ... or remembering all the good things about my day in preparation for some really sweet dreams!

In bed … I also love to use another acupuncture point called 'Heart Governor 6'. See the picture below. This is a wonderful point, recommended for insomnia, but also used for nausea and which for me is a wonderful switch: as though it turns the head off and drops me into that nether-land where I may actually just about drop off. 

Enjoy! Sweet dreams :-)

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Heart Governor 6 - useful for insomnia