Unlock the Secrets of Sleep: Restore Balance and Wellbeing

Sleep: An Underrated Basic Need

Today’s topic is sleep - a basic need that should be completely natural, yet for many, it isn’t.

Sleep-related issues can be significant for our wellbeing. Maybe you’ve experienced it too:

• You struggle to go to bed even though you’re tired.

• You lie awake and can’t fall asleep.

• You wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep.

• Or you wake up too early and feel unrested.
  

These problems profoundly impact our quality of life. Lack of sleep makes us more vulnerable to stress, irritable, and less balanced. It affects our nutrition, digestion, and even our ability to think clearly or find energy for the day. It’s no surprise that sleep ranks among the top three factors for living a long and healthy life. In sleep, our bodies regenerate, and our minds process what we’ve experienced.

Why Sleep Is a Central Topic

Sleep is one of the most important basic needs we humans have. It involves much more than just "closing your eyes." During sleep, our brains process memories, our bodies recover, and we recharge for the next day. Without sufficient sleep, these functions don’t operate fully, leading to a wide range of consequences.

Here’s an interesting fact about sleep: Did you know people sleep in cycles lasting around 90 minutes? Within a cycle, we experience various stages—from light sleep to deep sleep and the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, where our brain is particularly active. During REM sleep, it’s believed that our memory is refined and optimized.

Why Sleep Can Become a Problem

What should be a natural process turns into a challenge for many people. Adults often struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep, while for children, sleep can reflect an emotional journey. Sleep requires trust, especially for young children who depend heavily on attachment. This transition into sleep can feel unsettling because it challenges their sense of safety and connection.

These patterns often carry into adulthood. During hypnosis sessions, I’ve noticed how many of us unconsciously inherit our “sleeping habits” from childhood, whether positive or negative. Think about how you learned to fall asleep as a child: Was it a comforting experience, or did it feel like separation? These early experiences often shape how we approach sleep later in life.

Sleep and Emotional Conditioning

I’ve been fascinated by how deeply our childhood shapes our sleep behavior. Many of us grew up in environments where sleep was less about natural ease and more about forced routines. I recall being sent to bed alone as the youngest in my family, while everyone else stayed awake. That feeling of being separated from the “campfire” left a lasting impression on my relationship with sleep.

Experiences like this can connect sleep with feelings of loneliness or insecurity. And while we may understand these patterns rationally as adults, our subconscious often holds onto these emotions. The good news is that we can learn to recognize and shift these associations.

Tools for Better Sleep – How Hypnosis Can Help

One vital approach is to restore the feelings of security and trust around sleep. Hypnosis is an incredibly powerful tool for this, as it allows us to work directly with the subconscious mind. Old beliefs like "Sleep equals loneliness" can be replaced by supportive and positive emotions. The great thing is, we already have access to these emotional resources: moments of trust, comfort, and relaxation are stored within us, ready to be recalled.

Here’s a practical tip: If you’re struggling to fall asleep, try recalling a situation where you felt safe and loved, maybe an embrace with your loved ones or a peaceful moment in a familiar setting. Memories and emotions are closely linked, and the more vividly you imagine this moment, the stronger the feelings will be. Use these emotions to prepare your mind and body for sleep.

Waking Up at Night: What You Can Do

Waking up briefly at night is normal: it’s part of our natural sleep cycles. Usually, we don’t remember these moments because we fall asleep again immediately. But if you stay awake, take a moment to explore what exactly keeps you awake, what emotions are present, and therefor what emotion do you need to return to sleep. Do you need calmness, a sense of security, or something else? Think of a scenario where you experienced this feeling and bring it back to your awareness.

Sometimes, it’s worth considering whether staying awake might be okay. If you wake up at 5 a.m., feeling alert, could you start your day early? But if it’s the middle of the night, focus on what your body needs to relax and signal that it’s time to sleep again. Routine practices and breathing techniques can be helpful here.

Practice Makes Perfect

One key learning is that everything we want to master in life should be practiced during calm and relaxed situations. By integrating self-hypnosis or other relaxation techniques into your daily routine, you train your body and mind to apply these methods effectively even during moments of stress or sleep disturbances. Repetition is key—the more you practice, the easier it will be to access these techniques when needed.

Our brains love patterns. Every time you succeed—whether it’s falling asleep or regaining your calm—you should acknowledge it and affirm to yourself: “This worked!” By doing so, you encourage your brain to seek positive patterns and reinforce your progress.