Dear Quiet Ones, This is a wake-up call for introverts who need more sleep!
Sleep can be considered a primal form of introversion. It is a highly necessary time of journeying from the outer world to the depths of our most inner world every night.
This is the ultimate in restoration, recharging, and even reflection through the depths of our subconscious.
Sleep heals the body and clears the mind. It is also said to restore the soul.
Psychiatrist Carl Jung defined introversion as a basic way of being in the world with an inward flowing of personal energy.
Introverts tend to be happy in solitude, having rich imaginations and placing a high value on being reflective and in-tune with their inner world of thoughts, ideas, and experiences.
A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that extroverts tend to sleep longer than introverts.
Interestingly, introverts are more resistant to time zone changes.
Studies indicate that a lack of sleep, especially in women suffering from insomnia, can lead to increased anxiety, depression, anger, frustration, a tendency towards heart conditions, type 2 diabetes, weight gain, and overall reduced immune systems.
Sleep is known to be as important for overall health as good nutrition and exercise, yet we still see that the number of hours of sleep obtained each night is on the decline for the majority of people polled.
For the introvert, sleep and dreaming is a way of connecting to our true nature and recharging our energy to take back out into the world. Meditation, mindfulness, and sleep are all restorative and healing processes to balance the stress of busy lives and hectic schedules.
How much sleep are you getting on average? Needs vary by individual, but less than 7 hours per night is considered a deficit.
Consider the following suggestions for maximizing quality sleep in your life:
- Put your phone away. Keeping it outside of your bedroom is best. Charging your phone away from your bed is suggested.
- Take a warm shower or an Epsom salt bath before bedtime.
- Enjoy a cup of chamomile or lavender tea before retiring for the evening.
- Keep your bedroom temperature on the cooler side (60 – 67 degrees) and be sure to use window shades to keep away outside light during sleeping hours.
- Do some quick meditation before drifting off to sleep to quiet your mind and release thoughts from the day.
- Consider yoga or light stretching before heading to bed.
- Turn off electronics 30 minutes before you go to sleep to ensure that your exposure to all blue light has ended for the day.
- No caffeine after 2 pm. Minimize your intake of alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and food additives.
- Remember that exhaustion is a sign that we are dangerously out of balance.
If you’ve been neglecting sleep or compromising in this area, use this week to try and get back on track. Make 7 hours per night your minimum goal and notice how you feel.
Commit to taking care of yourself in this way and support those around you in achieving this fundamental human need.