I am told that it is a very good ritual to start the morning on a high note, but in order to achieve that, there are two things that must happen.

1. Go to bed thinking on positive thoughts
2. Get a GOOD sleep. Let the body really rest.

And I was resolved to actually begin my post on that note, but I just can’t muster the energy to do that because I am genuinely concerned at the number of emails I received from Lawyers and Judges battling insomnia or sleeping disorders.
Many of which either progressed from initial to terminal insomnia or landed right smack on terminal insomnia from day 1. It is particularly disturbing because it is a disorder that hit close to home and which I actually took quite lightly when my attention was brought to it. I have a younger sister who prior to being diagnosed with high blood pressure, actually mentioned casually that she was having trouble sleeping and still has it to this day.

So it is time I addressed it don’t you think?

 

According to her, she traced back to when we lost our dad in 2005. Now I will tell you that the sister I am speaking of is a strong, independent go-getter and business oriented individual, so naturally the obligation to always look strong and avoid dealing fully with issues that trouble her is inevitable. A trait that is dominant with the Legal profession.
A couple of years after dad went, we lost our wonderful, ever cheerful grandma, his mother. If I remember correctly, I saw her weep but I don’t know why I just didn’t expect it to hit her like it did.

 

Now keep in mind that I have always viewed her as strong, independent and capable of handling anything.

 

I am expecting her to handle it and for some of you, your friends, family and business associates expect you handle all situations with finesse, poise and a lot of grace…heck you are the Lawyer, the Judge, so you should have ALL the solutions, no matter what.

 

You must carry all the financial burdens, family issues and still succeed in your practice or at the bench. No one gives you the “me time” to just be yourself and give you the allowance to be vulnerable.
Long story short, when you are facing psychological or mentally challenging situations, it will evidently affect your sleep and if you do not deal with the situation, you will be dealing with a sleeping disorder for a long time to come.

 

Like I said in last week’s post, that worry and frustration, comes knocking at your door as “I can’t sleep”. I promised to give you a solution to it and here is the first one.

 

Truly deal with your issues. Be vulnerable. Allow people see your weak spot but never allow their reaction to it affect you.  I know you were expecting me to say “oh take this, that and the other” but if I truly want to serve the Legal community then I owe it to you to be honest.

 

Sure there are couple of products I could recommend, but the number one thing on my list is that you deal with whatever is going on inside your head. Don’t run from it or avoid it. Attack it.
Okay…enough of that.

 

A very touchy subject for me. I have also mentioned before that a lot of Legal practitioners take work home. You refuse to turn off your switch button and so you go bed in that mode.

 

Someone upset you at work, a certain project is unfinished, how am I going to win that case, who is the guilty party…all these thoughts are running through your mind while you are laying on your bed and you are telling me you want to sleep…jokes!
There is no solution other than, leave work at work! To wade off some of that worry. Get a permanent “Worry” notebook or notepad.

Before you go to bed, write down all the stuff at work that’s bothering you and at the end write down “I WILL DEAL WITH YOU TOMORROW”.

This is to help you unwind and get you ready for some good to sleep.

 

After all you cannot do anything while lying on the bed okay, you can make a phone call or too, but I bet you the person on the other end is also driving around “town” looking for some sleep!

 

Next, turn your phone off. If I am correct, some of you already practice this. So what I want you to do now is take your right arm, place it over your left shoulder, and tap it three times. Yes, give yourself a good pat on the back. You did great.

 

Always apply the “no gadgets” on the bed rule. I literally mean

NO GADGETS.
Next switch off all lights in the room and playing soft soothing music (I would recommend a music list in my email next week). This will help bring sleep back into your life. I kid you not.

 

Finally giving yourself a curfew. Nothing later than midnight and keep to this rule no matter what. No excuses allowed…that is if you are really serious about addressing these issues. And of course, take a bath…this also relaxes your muscles and puts you in rest mode.

 

Can you do all this? The answer is an affirmative yes.

 

Now, there are three product that I always recommend for anyone having trouble sleeping and they are chamomile tea, mint tea and lavender oil.
I always advise to take either the chamomile tea or mint tea about 15 – 30 minutes before bed. The lavender oil should be used right after you take a bath. Rub the oil into your palms. These products help relax the nerves and keep you in a calm mood.
Armed with this knowledge, who is ready to get some good sleep?

 

Everybody say “I”.

 

It’s the Legal doc and I am signing out.

Have a great weekend!

 

Dr. Becky.

 

P.S: I could make the Chamomile tea, Mint Tea and Lavender Oil available for purchase but I would need to get a head count of those who need it. Any takers?

Please shoot me a mail via [email protected] and I could get some to you in less than 2 days.