Home / attitude / concentration / faith / focus / success / ya-ttitude / Sleep Deprivation Cured: Sleep Concentration
My Last few posts were fairly long, so today I figured I would give something a little shorter to read, but just as important to your success, your life and your Ya-ttitude.
Most of you who have read along over the last few weeks and months or have followed my comments here and elsewhere realize that I preach the division of your day into three equal parts. You need 8-hours for work and 8-hours to enjoy yourself. Enjoying yourself can consist of man things, the betterment of your life, time with the kids, reading writing etc. Today I want to look at those last 8 hours of your day, the hours you should be asleep.
With our hectic schedules and all the pulls and pushes of life I often hear comments like this, “Sleep is over rated” or “I’ll sleep when I am dead, I am too busy now.” Well these comments and the lack of a quality night of sleep are as big a roadblock to your success as not developing a plan or an underdeveloped desire to achieve.
To Sleep; A Chance to Dream…
I am going to show you a simple yet effective and time-tested method to get you mind and body to relax and prepared for a wonderful night of sleep. In turn your subconscious mind will have a chance to drive home a clear path for your success full Ya-ttitude.
The Water Method
Place a full glass of water on a table in your bedroom, (I actually have an aquarium in my room for just such occasions - fish and all) and sit in a chair beside the table. Gaze quietly into the glass; see how calm the water is. Then in your minds-eye see yourself becoming calm, feel your muscles relax and your mind slowing down. Allow this script to write itself in your mind. Write your days end, the time to sleep and regenerate in your personal script. Play it out, feel it happening; you are getting tired and you do so want to sleep now. You can feel your pillow and that soft blanket, the soft edges of your consciousness fading away, as the softness of sleep quickly approaches. You know that ultimate relaxation is here now and play it over in your mind over and over again, feel it and live it as it is actually happening and has happened.
Keep this thought and idea in your mind; “There is nothing to it; there is no problem to fall asleep.”
You are just now starting to understand how important and in how many ways concentration will have an effect on your life, your success and on your Ya-ttitude.
Sleep well…
May 13th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
I have 14 hours for work 6 hours for the kids when possible and 2 hours for sleep.
May 13th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Make that 4 hours for sleep
May 13th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I put them (comments) both up Chris. All the more proof that you need to add sleep to your diet. When you have trouble doing basic math - I am thinking you need to slow down on the work a bit - spend more time with the kids and get some sleep.
Try it, humor me, even if you have to force yourself and let me know how it feels after 30 days.
Ben
May 13th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I use to be the type of guy you describe, Benny. I worked my ass off calling clients and writing reports, giving myself very little time to sleep.
Then I learned something. When I slept well I was much more productive during the day. There were still those late night projects that needed to be done from time to time, but the rest of the time I strived for a good night sleep.
May 13th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I used to do the same thing. The I realized I ws killing myself and helping nobody. Now I do not really care what goes on at work. I go home - or go to the gym - or the movies with the boys. Then tomorrow is another day… after a long peaceful nights sleep. BTW: It was a chore falling asleep - now I am out in 3 mins max!
May 13th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Great visualization tip! I love it, I am going to include this in my insomnia blog, and also plan to link to your concentration exercises when I write about ADHD here shortly.
May 13th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Thanks Nicole. Visualization is a topic we will cover later. Vision Boards and Mind Games…
Thanks for the props Doc…
May 13th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
nice tip. I need it, i’m a big time night owl. Let see if it works for me
May 13th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Give it a shot - and please let me know how it works for you. Now log off and get some sleep.
May 13th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I like your blog!
Also…about sleep I can definitely say it’s all about telling yourself you are able to fall asleep. I really didn’t sleep more than about 1 or 2 hours a night for like 3 months…it got to be a habit. I would always think…about stuff, and tell myself I couldn’t sleep and I wouldn’t. Your water visualization technique sounds good!
May 13th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
From Your Site: My ultimate goal is to open up a small dog rescue…
So what have you done? Plan? Desire? Group?
Sleep is important - but lets get those goals in gear… Drop me a note if you like and we can set up a plan… And I will show you how you can use your sleep to move your goals forward!
benny@ya-ttitude.com
May 13th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
I am an insomniac. I usually sleep at 1 am but I wake up late too, usually 9 am. I read and read until my eyes drop. I think I’ll try this. thanks for the tip.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Well at least you are getting your 8hrs. It does not matter how or when - as long as you are getting them. Now getting to bed a bit earlier will allow you to startyour day earlier and accomplish more - but - if you are getting those 8 hrs you are ahead of the game!
May 14th, 2008 at 12:18 am
People most certainly do under-estimate the importance of sleep. When our bodies are at rest (meaning deep sleep) they tend to heal themselves and get ready for another active day (physically or mentally).
I am guilty of not getting enough sleep. My mind is always wanting to stay awake as it thinks of what I have to still accomplish or of the next project I will undertake!
You give an interesting strategy to slow the mind enough to fall asleep. I’m going to try it. Thanks Benny!!
Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com
May 14th, 2008 at 12:25 am
If you allow your mind to rest during sleep - I assure you that your subconscious mind will bring forward the answers you are looking for with much less effort than trying it on a tired mind.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:51 am
Great idea for me to try. I never get enough sleep.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:08 am
It is actually the fine balance between too much and not enough that you need to get Heidi… I know you can do it - and so do you!
May 14th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Great visualization tip…I find even laying in bed and visualizing in my mind the ocean, sand and sun works well for me…I think those who try your tip will be surprised at how well it will work!!
Great post!
Cheers
Heather
May 14th, 2008 at 7:47 am
Great tips Benny - I also use mediation CD’s. I let them play softly in the background while I drift off to sleep. I also go through my “thank you list”… focus on the things that happened through out the day that I am greatful for, nice way to ease into lala land.
I am very big on visualizations… here is a work in progress for you to look at http://www.meditationsforgrowth.com/
May 14th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Hi Benny, I don’t have trouble sleeping at all… I just don’t get to bed to have enough sleep although I find myself not staying up as late as I used to. Nice touch about the water… great idea to help those insomniacs.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Funny thing about the water. Even when I was younger I used my aquarium as a source of calm and rest and just never realized the therapudic benefits till later in life.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Good blog. I occasionally have sleep problems. I have to remember the water. I also have to remember not to drink it, or I’ll be up all night jogging to the “facility.”
May 14th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Sleep and excercise… No No No -
The water really works… there are other ways - and we can get into those - but this is simple and effective!
May 14th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I love the imagery that your sleep therapy portrays. I always wish I was one who did not require alot of sleep, but I do, and usually don’t have a problem falling into a deep sleep.
If I do, this would be such a peaceful way to do it!
May 14th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
great post, thanks. i often can, and will use these tips.
i do find that on days when i am more physically active in the AM, i do better at night
May 14th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
8 hours is 8 hours - it does not matter when you sleep them off and refresh your mind. I used to work the “midnight shift”‘ - But still slept for 8 hours during the time others were working…
May 14th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Whoa benny I just wrote my latest post about water o.o.. how crazy is that xD. Anyways, this is good stuff, and I’m definitely linking you on to my blog.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Golly G Whiz - I am honored… and off to read
May 15th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
nice tip. I need it
May 15th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
it was perfect timing; i was reading this just as i was ready to hit the hay! I will be back to read more of your blog….i love the pleasing simplicity and calmness.
May 15th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
You know - You have hit it on the head. It really is easy - all of the writings and teachings are easy - simple - corny and cheesy. But - effective and designed to allow everyone and anyone to do them. Everyone has a goal and dreams - now lets get to them!
May 15th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Thanks for wonderful lesson Ben.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
For You? Anytime… I am just glad you hung around long enough to learn it
May 16th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Super Post!!! My husband is going to paint a lakeshore mural on our far wall in the bedroom so we can gaze at it…it will be a sunrise or a sunset. I loooove water, am connected to it in body and soul. Can’t live away from the Great Lakes.
JJ
May 16th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Can he come and do one of those on the wall in my backyard… I want one there. That is a great idea - as long as it goes with the decor…
May 17th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
This is really neat; thanks for sharing. I will certainly remmeber this next time I can’t sleep
May 17th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Thanks SC - I know it will help you - if and when you need to - thanks for the words and thanks for stopping in for a look!
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:19 pm
ooohh, I like this method, I’m gonna have to give it the old fashioned college try.
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Welcome Aboard Dani…
It was just a matter of time till you turned to the ya-ttitude. The method really works - and after reading some of your stuff… You deserve/need the rest!
Ben
June 16th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Sounds like a great way to relax, but with neighbours playing loud music through the night I’m afraid this relaxed feeling won’t last long in my case.
August 10th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
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