Insomnia
Dennis Gersten, M.D.
Counting sheep to help one sleep really is not a bad
idea. A more powerful variation is to review the events of the day in reverse
order, picturing in one's mind the most recent events of the day proceeding
toward the moment one woke up in the morning.
Think back over the day and picture everyone that you judged one way or
another through the day. You may be surprised at the "little judgments"
that go on almost unconsciously. Was someone too fat or too thin for your taste,
too this or too that, too traditional or too advant-garde? As each judgment
passes before your inner vision, feel yourself let go of it.
The judgment review not only helps promote sleep but helps one grow
emotionally and spiritually.
Another powerful imagery is the Paradoxical Sleep Technique:
Think back to a time when you had to stay awake. Maybe it was finals time
and you had to stay up all night. Feel how much you wished you could have
dropped off to sleep...and feel yourself fighting that urge. You must stay
awake. Finally you give in to the urge to sleep. You're not going to fight it
anymore. You know you have to stay awake but you can't.
Good Night.
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