I have an interview in a few days. I need to learn how to handle stress better since I've stressed myself out enough to stop sleeping. It would be good if I used this time productively but instead I spend most of the time rearranging my portfolio sleeves over and over again. I feel too guilty that I'm not sleeping to start something worthwhile, but I'm too anxious to sleep. Suggestions for what I should do instead? Maybe I should get some of those bell balls you can buy at the dollar store.
9 comments:
I don't know if this would work for anyone else, but it's done wonders for me. Get yourself a season of some television show, preferably a half hour show, one that you can watch over and over and still like but knowingly you might ruin it from over watching. Watch the episodes a couple of times til you have it down pretty well and then try falling asleep to it. Put in an episode and close your eyes and listen to the episode as you're trying to sleep. You've pretty much memorized the episode as you've seen it so many times so you can visualize it without opening your eyes. Then thinking doesn't keep you up because it's filled with the episode, and since you've memorized it your mind is allowed to rest and you can sleep. I discovered this about three years ago and it has done wonders for me when I'm stressed out and can't sleep. I try and do tv shows with no sound at the menu screen so that it doesn't wake me back up or wake up others in the apartment.
If that doesn't work find things you know to be mind numbing. For me the video game Dr. Mario or the Tony Hawk series of video games are mind numbing, because they take up enough brain power but I don't actually have to think, just go through the motions to calm me down.
Read the book of Mormon! The Lord will bless you with knowledge or sometimes sleep.
I do calming stretches before bed and that has helped me at times.
I also like to also drink sleepy time tea or milk a half hour before bed.
Good luck!
Do not do house work at all after 8!
i think there are pills for that...
otherwise, when i find myself not sleeping, i take my book down to the living room so i don't associate my bed and room with not sleeping.
we tell our clients to try progressive muscle relaxation. tensing and relaxing each muscle of your body from toes to head. or to do calming visual imagery. one of my clients said she designs her dream pool and pictures herself as a mermaid. apparently that's her happy place... sooo, you could try that.
Cleaning is what I do when I have a lot of nervous energy winding me up. (Too bad I don't get nervous that often, my house would be a lot cleaner!) A nice long yoga practice followed by a warm bath also works for me when I can't unwind before bed.
Good luck with the interview!
Mom used to give us warm milk and honey, it was great.
Five years ago I was doing a super stressful internship; my mentor basically held whether I would graduate in her hands and I almost didn't. It was the first time I'd become so stressed I couldn't sleep, consistently for several weeks. And I was working so hard at the internship I didn't have time to do relaxing things like go for a walk, read a book, do yoga (and our bathroom was yucky so a "relaxing" bath was out.) Anyway, I was going crazy so I did go to the doctor and get sleeping pills. Probably not what you're looking for but I needed to get some sleep and they did the trick. After I did actually graduate I conked out on my own and it was great.
I believe what we do before we go to bed makes a difference in how well we can relax. So, I know that I need to exercise each day otherwise I don't sleep well at night. No caffeine, no heavy meals, etc right before sleep.
Journaling also helps me...I sometimes wake up at night worried and I make a list of what is worrying me. Sometimes, it helps me to see it writing. Remember, you have a good situation already and anything they offer, you don't have to take.
Someone gave me those very balls for a gift when I lived in Jakarta. Now you can get them at the dollar store? I have always wondered what they were for. :)
Preparing for interviews can be distressing. I am sure you will do great, Katy!
Hey Katy,
How are you guys doing? I love your blog! Are you planning on going to the Capener reunion next week in California? If so, we will see you there! I hope everything is going well!
Post a Comment