Wellness ►
Resting Versus Sleeping
by Tara Holm , contributing writer
Most weekends , you can find me at a pop-up event at a dispensary or a cannabis event around KC . I interact with hundreds of people monthly . I love how everyone shares their stories about how cannabis helped them when they had previously lost all hope . Most stories are about the first time they used cannabis or the bad experience they once endured while ingesting too much . But nine times out of ten , the question everyone asks is how can I fall asleep fast and stay asleep ? Again , everyone is a puzzle piece , and you must find out what products fit your puzzle . Several products like Wana Blueberry , Robhots Nighttime , and Cheeba Chews gummies have that sleepy effect . Even Keef drinks have a Blueberry Lemon with CBN Snooze . Several products are out there to help aid in sleep , but are you helping yourself ?
If you answer “ Yes ” to three out of the four following questions , then this article may be for you . 1 . Do you know the variation between resting and sleeping ? 2 . Do you suffer from the ability to fall asleep ? 3 . Do you wake up in the middle of the night and can ’ t go back to sleep ? 4 . Does your brain start thinking as soon as you wake up ?
Let ’ s dive into Resting versus Sleeping .
Ask yourself this . During the day , do I frequently rest my eyes , brain , and my body ? When you take a break , are you immediately picking up your phone and starting to scroll ? Our bodies and brains sometimes need no stimulation . Your brain is constantly firing signals and thoughts . Resting doesn ’ t have to look like naps and sitting in silence . Resting can be as simple as going outside and taking five deep breaths . Taking a bath or just staring at water .
Take a break by thinking of nothing ! Yes , this will be hard in the beginning , but with practice , you can release those nagging thoughts . Sitting in the sunshine or listening to raindrops are all tools that can allow your body to rest . Resting during the day and releasing those thoughts will let you flow into the evening and on to good sleep .
How to fall asleep ? We have all tried so many tips and tricks to help us fall asleep — from counting sheep , reading a book , or maybe listening to sleep music . When we lie down , for some reason , our brains insist on going through the day or worry about tomorrow .
Try doing these things before laying down .
● Journal — write down the highs and lows of the day , your concerns or worries , your feelings now , and how you want your night to go . This is releasing . Your brain will calm down when you write down these thoughts on paper , letting them out of your body ( mind ). Leave the thoughts and worries on the paper , not in your mind . It can be a sticky note or a whole journal paragraph . You will be amazed at how much faster you will fall asleep .
18 JULY 2023
● Stretching ― Taking three to five minutes of stretching before bed can also release those cortisol stress hormones that keep you awake . Just like writing words on paper , stretch those thoughts out of your body .
● Prioritize ― We think of a hundred thoughts in a matter of minutes . All those thoughts can overwhelm us .
What if we prioritize “ Thoughts ” into three categories ? 1 . Most important — I will let this go for tonight , but I will address it first thing tomorrow . 2 . Important — I release this until the time is right for me to take care of it . Timing is everything , and I trust .
3 . It can wait ! Things you cannot control , let it go ! Worrying about things you cannot control is stress straight on your brain . Repeating to yourself , this is out of my control ; If you release it from your mind it will help you gain control over your thoughts .
You are in control of your brain and thoughts . Are you always thinking positively or constantly preparing for the worst ? If you are always in defense mode and think negatively about everything , your nervous system will not allow you to fall asleep or stay asleep . We can take all the sleep-aid products and listen to all the advice , but ultimately , it ’ s up to us to act .
Sleep is where our bodies recover . Your body can ’ t heal and repair itself if you are not allowing yourself to rest . You plug in your phone to charge every night . Why not do the same for your body ?
Staying asleep ! Let ’ s be honest ; we all get up at least once at night to use the restroom or get a drink of water . And now , for some of us , we are awake ! Our brains are at it again . When you are up , keep thinking to yourself , I get to go back to sleep ; I get to let my body rest and recover ; I have no worries . It ’ s all in your thoughts . You must tell yourself those magical words . Go back to sleep !
Breathwork — take it back to your breath . Breathe in air from your toes all the way up to your head . Meditation or nature music — give your brain something else to focus on .
For everyone — it is trial and error . What works for your friend might not work for you . Keep taking action to take control of your sleep habits . Look at what you are doing 30 minutes to one hour before bedtime . Everyone deserves and needs a good night ’ s rest !
Keep thinking positively , hydrate , and keep loving yourself !
Tara Holm has over 12 years of experience in healthcare and over nine years in Personal Training and Wellness Coaching . She helps take care of your body from the inside out . She helps educate about Plant Medicine and ways it can help you find your balance in a healthy and maintainable lifestyle . She is a Clovr Brand Ambassador . Getting the right education out to the public about products has been and will continue to be her goal .