Recovering from Burnout Series- Strategy 5: Move towards Deep and Consistent Sleep
My adrenals were depleted. Every night my cortisol spiked when it should have been dipping, which kept me awake when I should have been sleeping. This, combined with accumulated stress kept me up and messed with my sleep. I visited my doctor, have tried a combination of adrenal building supplements and sleep aids until I found what works for me, and I am slowly starting to get the amount of sleep I need each night, which is more sleep than I expected.
Post COVID, my doctor shared that many people are needing more sleep than they used to need. This has been a symptom of Long COVID for me, and I am learning to be patient with myself as I journey towards getting deep and consistent sleep my body needs.
When dealing with burnout for whatever reason, loss of sleep seems to be a main issue for many. For me, it takes conscious effort on my part to get to bed at a reasonable hour, and to take the steps needed in order to get the sleep my body and my mind desperately need. I’m still working on this. When I asked my sister what helped her sleep she mentioned all the supplements she takes, brown noise, reading, and praying. She also uses mouth tape. I often play the audio Bible on a 30 minute timer, and that puts me to sleep. Often, I’ll fade out towards sleep thinking about something I just heard from the Bible.
I love Psalm 127:2, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.” I have slowly but surely incorporated more habits into my daily routine that contribute to better sleep at night. This is significantly contributing to recovery from burnout/Long COVID for me. If you are struggling with this, may you start to get more deep and consistent sleep, as well.
Notes in the Margins:
What are issues causing you to not get the sleep you need?
Of these issues, what are things within your control that you can change?
This week, what is one new strategy you will try?
