We're a read books and sing songs kinda fam, but my son got to an age where he wanted stories on top of that. Great! Until he just wanted more. and more. Asking me to come up with a story about the ceiling was my breaking point. I took a page out of my own therapeutic book and looked up sleep stories. This channel, Koala Moon, is great. It's free!!! And the stories always have something more tied into it- a character dealing with anxiety, for example. After the story there is a guided meditation. My kids are always asleep by that point, but I do it for myself! For adults, I recommend using guided meditation, but I suppose you could check this out if you want to.
a shower or bath, some hot tea or warm milk. gentle warmth welcomes the body back into the parasympathetic nervous state you want to be in—waking up in the middle of the night is sympathetic nervous activation. also, counting backwards from 100 helps wind my brain down. sometimes also picturing yourself on an elevator going down or gentle walking into a body of water.
They are so delicious and versatile. Easy to cook and yummy and good for you! Butter beans with a spicy tomato sauce and some halloumi and bread to dip mmmmm
