Sometimes the greatest challenge is to make the decision to step into a new lifestyle – for health and greater wellbeing. It’s not about the changes or choices (although they too can seem overwhelming initially) – it’s the dedicated commitment around the decision and the follow through to truly start a new way to live.

It requires patience. It is a process. You are changing your neurology, quite literally! This is instant, but if habits are ingrained and have been repeated for a long period of time, it takes extra commitment to form the new habit.

Here are some useful tips which can help you with implementing your new strategies:

• Share your intention of wanting to improve your sleep with those you live with. Let them know why it is so important to you and why you would appreciate their support. Often we assume others just know or understand, but until we clearly communicate this and share its true importance (this change can be a challenging time for you), others many not give it the respect or importance you would like. Imagine how much better it feels when you receive the support and consideration from the people you live with. Write down those benefits now and contemplate how great it is to share about your new plans. This conversation could open conversations about what they want to share with you and deepen your relationship. This could be an inspired new chapter about harnessing greater wellbeing.
• If you’re not living with anyone, share this with your loved ones/friends, even random strangers that you resonate with and might meet socially. This helps with your commitment and growth of moving into this new chapter. Sleep is a topic most people are interested in these days, and everybody knows someone who struggles with sleep in some way. It is powerful to share our awareness with each other, so we can learn from each other, inspire, and support one another and in the case of the topic of sleep, become more educated about this important topic.
• Get some books on sleep, or watch YouTubes or listen to Podcasts about it. Start a sleep club, create a community that supports each other for better sleep. There is so much goodness and strength that arises when we connect with others on matters that are close to our heart & health! It makes it fun, easier, and inspiring!
• Give yourself 6 weeks to get into your groove or rhythm. Change is a process, and it will reveal its unique challenges for everyone stepping into it. It is natural to have days where it feels like nothing is changing or where you may wonder if it’s working. Remember, your biology may instantly respond, but to create an established new habit and reap all its possible rewards will take time. This will be different for everyone depending on the degree of sleep deprivation, health status, surroundings, support and personal dedication to the process. It is completely doable, and so worth it! The benefits of achieving your best possible sleep are endless.
  Remember with great sleep duration & quality, you will have more energy, overall health, mental clarity, and ageing slows down! Check our previous blog posts and podcasts for more information about the benefits of good sleep and how this can prevent potential future health issues for you.
• Create physical changes that initiate & support your new decision. For example, start with making your bedroom more conducive to best possible sleep for you. Suggestions could be:
  • Get light blocking curtains
  • Buy some salt lamps for low light evening ambience
  • Choose a better pillow for spinal support
  • Change bedsheets to celebrate your new chapter
  • Use natural, breathable materials as your bedding and bed clothing
  • Start journaling before bed with specific prompts that help you relax
  • Create some time every evening before bed for meditation or gentle stretches
  • Declutter your bedroom and remove all that doesn’t give you joy
  • Check if you can adjust the temperature for optimal sleep (15-18 degrees C)
  • Enjoy fresh air in your bedroom more
  • Start sticking to a regular sleeping routine and time in which you go to bed