Could You Sleep Through a Tornado?

Benefit #12: Positivity Improves Our Sleep

Benefit #12: Positivity Improves Our Sleep

My sister Corina and I were maybe 10 and 12 when we were with my mom in the Detroit area for a funeral/family reunion. Mom’s wacky family never held one without the other, replete with the requisite fisticuffs and someone leaving in a police car. One particular visit, we were there during tornado season. Having grown up in Phoenix, we were utterly unfamiliar with tornadoes or tornado warnings. Corina, our mom, and I were sleeping in one of our cousin’s rooms – and the window was cracked maybe an inch. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the wind blew so fiercely that everything on the dresser flew off and crashed to the floor. Talk about a way to wake up out of a sound sleep.

This was quickly followed by a shrill siren shrieking across the once-silent night. My cousin Tony ran into the room and ushered all of us downstairs to the basement to wait for the danger to pass. We were all gathered there, my mom and I and all of our cousins, when Tony’s mom asked, “Where’s Corina?” My little sister had slept through all of it – the crashing dresser items, the tornado siren, and Tony yelling at us to get downstairs. He ran back upstairs and carried her down, rubbing her eyes as she attempted to comprehend what was happening. Talk about sleeping soundly!

I always slept well until I moved to the New York Tri-State Area in my mid-20s. Sirens and gunshots became the norm, and sleeping through the night became a thing of the past. Up until very recently, I did not have a lot of respect for my sleep needs. I have always been a night owl, but I would stay up till nearly dawn and often did not get nearly enough sleep. Adults are supposed to get from seven to nine hours, optimally. I was lucky to get between five and six hours of sleep a night.

Then I got covid, and I had no choice but to sleep and sleep and sleep. And now, I get eight or nine hours of sleep most days, even if some of it comes in the form of naps. One of the greatest gifts of that illness – yes, gifts – is that I will never again take my sleep for granted.

Good sleep is crucial to good health. Many sleep issues are tied to stress and worries. If you want to sleep better, one way might just be by increasing your positivity quotient. A positive outlook can transform worry into hope and action, thereby reducing your stress level. The less stressed you are, the more relaxed you become – and the better you are likely to sleep.

Steps to Improve Your Sleep

(1) Make your bedroom your sanctuary. Keep it clean and uncluttered; choose bedding you love.

(2) Get rid of the TV! And avoid devices of any kind for the hour before you go to bed.

(3) As much as possible, go to sleep and get up at the same time every day.

(4) Keep a gratitude journal you write in before bed.

(5) Have an affirmation or two ready to replace any persistent worrisome thoughts.

There are myriad ways to increase your positivity and reduce your stress. If you really want to make positivity a priority, sign up today for the 30-Day Positivity Challenge. This complimentary 30-day series of exercises gives participants a variety of assignments conducive to feeling better, overall. According to inspirational speaker Abraham Hicks, “Few realize that they can control the way they feel and positively affect the things that come into their life experience by deliberately directing their thoughts.” Abraham Hicks says we accomplish this by simply “reach[ing] for a better feeling thought.”

The decision is yours: Sleep through the night or keep tossing and turning?

JOIN THE 30-DAY POSITIVITY CHALLENGE TODAY!

#fairypositive #blogboost

_____________
Laura Orsini is an author, speaker, consultant, publisher, and creator of Fairy Positive, an antidote to the worries of the world. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Advertisement