More On Sleep Hygiene
Last night, as the children were preparing for bed, I made a batch of dream tea with stevia. I let it steep a good long time, and then after drinking it, decided to have a bath.
Our tub is narrow with an overflow valve that lets out much of the water as soon as a body submerges. The experience is disappointing rather than luxurious, so I rarely indulge in a soak, preferring to shower. Last evening however, I dusted off the bath salts and smelly jellies, lighting candles and filling the tub. I decided not to bring a book with me, resisting the temptation to multi-task.
The first thing I noticed was the process of relaxing into the water, which highlighted the unnoticed tension I was carrying in my body. The second thing I noticed was how much I've changed internally since my last rare soak. As a former people pleaser, my body was an instrument for the purpose of caring for and pleasing others. Bathing was a ritual that, to some degree, was a process intended to make my body more pleasing to someone else. At this phase in my life, that is becoming less an issue. This bath was strictly for me. A word that came to mind was sovereignty. I experience this as rulership over my body, choices, life, name, identity and path.
It's not surprising that this comes to mind now. Imbolg is approaching, and for me, sovereignty is one of the keys. I dedicate myself, but it's crucial that I dedicate myself to something that is truly mine. First I must know what to dedicate myself to. This does not mean that I can't dedicate myself to family and community. It simply means that I must know my will and act accordingly.
I decided to focus on my chakras. It required effort to stay relaxed. At each chakra I made a vibrating, toning sound, pushing out air from my diaphragm, concentrating on keeping the tone true and aligned with the corresponding chakra. I made mudras with my fingers, and touched my skin at the chakra points. It was a challenge to stay focused on each chakra during this process, and I reminded myself to not think ahead to the next one.
Like my friend Crystal, my mind becomes busy while trying to fall asleep. I reflected that mental activity corresponds with air, and too much of any element implies an imbalance. I focused for a bit on the candle flame, the water, and the salt in the water.
Last night, although my sleep was interrupted as always, I slept soundly and dreamed of women giving their lives away.
Our tub is narrow with an overflow valve that lets out much of the water as soon as a body submerges. The experience is disappointing rather than luxurious, so I rarely indulge in a soak, preferring to shower. Last evening however, I dusted off the bath salts and smelly jellies, lighting candles and filling the tub. I decided not to bring a book with me, resisting the temptation to multi-task.
The first thing I noticed was the process of relaxing into the water, which highlighted the unnoticed tension I was carrying in my body. The second thing I noticed was how much I've changed internally since my last rare soak. As a former people pleaser, my body was an instrument for the purpose of caring for and pleasing others. Bathing was a ritual that, to some degree, was a process intended to make my body more pleasing to someone else. At this phase in my life, that is becoming less an issue. This bath was strictly for me. A word that came to mind was sovereignty. I experience this as rulership over my body, choices, life, name, identity and path.
It's not surprising that this comes to mind now. Imbolg is approaching, and for me, sovereignty is one of the keys. I dedicate myself, but it's crucial that I dedicate myself to something that is truly mine. First I must know what to dedicate myself to. This does not mean that I can't dedicate myself to family and community. It simply means that I must know my will and act accordingly.
I decided to focus on my chakras. It required effort to stay relaxed. At each chakra I made a vibrating, toning sound, pushing out air from my diaphragm, concentrating on keeping the tone true and aligned with the corresponding chakra. I made mudras with my fingers, and touched my skin at the chakra points. It was a challenge to stay focused on each chakra during this process, and I reminded myself to not think ahead to the next one.
Like my friend Crystal, my mind becomes busy while trying to fall asleep. I reflected that mental activity corresponds with air, and too much of any element implies an imbalance. I focused for a bit on the candle flame, the water, and the salt in the water.
Last night, although my sleep was interrupted as always, I slept soundly and dreamed of women giving their lives away.