Do You Resist Going to Sleep?

Put down your devices and turn off that TV, and Go the F**k to Sleep!

This is something I catch myself doing at times. I’m tired, but I resist actually going to bed. Ironically this tends to happen when I am actually most tired. It’s as if I’m too tired for the rational part of my brain, that part that would recognize I really need to go to bed, to function properly.

It also tends to happen when I’m under the influence of a screen, be it television, smartphone, computer, etc. I can easily become “hypnotized” by these devices and end up spending way more time on them than I want. Sure I’ll watch another episode of this or that, or dive deeper down an internet rabbit hole. Modern technology makes it so easy. I suspect it also has something to do with not wanting to face the feelings (or emotions) that arise when I’m especially tired. But it’s only making things worse, depriving me of the precious sleep my being needs to process those emotions!

So to counteract this, I deliberately plan nights of going to sleep early. What am I doing tonight? Oh I’m taking a hot shower (or bath if you’re lucky enough to have one) and going to bed early. Just like it’s a date or a show. When I do this, it is an incredible reset. I feel so good the next day, and am ready to take on life again.

To help me do this, I often think of the children’s book by Adam Mansbach. Have you heard of his book entitled: Go The F**k to Sleep? If you haven’t, it’s a popular satirical children’s book that implores kids to please go to sleep, presumably to give their overwhelmed, under-slept parents a break.

This title can be a great reminder for adults too!

I like to remind myself of the title of this book, to help get me to go to bed when I’m resisting it. Going to bed early is incredibly restorative! When I’m feeling really tired, sometimes I’ll just skip dinner and get in bed early instead. I especially like doing this when I feel any sort of sickness might be coming on. 

I may wake up earlier than usual, but I love having those extra hours of sleep occasionally to help my system rejuvenate and integrate whatever is going on in my life. I also find I get sick less often, and just FEEL BETTER! I hope you’ll give it a try sometime!