Having Trouble Sleeping? Zzz

  Hello everyone!

Last night, while I was in bed, I thought to myself, What are some things that I do to help me fall asleep? I thought about it, and thought about it, and decided to write this question down in my notebook so I wouldn't forget it because I was way to tired to keep my eyes open. The next morning, before I left the house to walk to my school, I composed a list of things that help me fall asleep. I wanted to share them with you, in hopes that you can learn some new tips and tricks. Sleep is very important for your health. Having at least 8 hours of sleep is really beneficial, and can improve your health a lot for you, mentally, physically and emotionally. So if you want to find out some new ways to fall asleep, read on!

One of the things that I like doing before going to bed is listening to music. Just music, not even songs that have lyrics in them. If you don't know what music to listen to, here are some of my favorites and recommendations:

• Kiss the Rain by Yiruma
• River Flows in You by Yiruma
• Canon in D by Pachelbel (both instrumental and piano version)
• Maybe by Yiruma
• Piano version of Can You Feel the Love Tonight from The Lion King
• Piano version of Fairy Tale by Guang Liang aka Michael Wong
• Piano version of I Can Go the Distance from Hercules
• Moonlight by Yiruma

 Listening music relieves my stress. It's really relaxing. Soon you'll be yawning and falling into deep slumber.

Another thing is to keep cool in bed. Being too hot is uncomfortable and so you'll be tossing and turning the whole night. I know because it happens to me EVERY summer. Try having less blankets and wearing thinner clothes. It works!

Before bed, try writing in your journal. Write about your day, your worries, what is stressing you right now, your feelings and emotions. Create a to-do list so that you don't think of it while you're trying to sleep. I recently got a journal about a month ago, and ever since I've been writing in it every night before I go to sleep. It's been working so far!

Try not to go on any electronics at least 20 minutes before going to bed. I know it seems IMPOSSIBLE, but try at least. But the thing is that it's light, and it won't make you tired, but awake. Try reading instead. It tires out your eyes. I know it's really hard to do, but pick a book you're interested in and you won't complain.


I hope you find a way to help with your sleep because it's very important! Thank you for reading this post! Have a great afternoon!

Keep Smiling,
M-L

The Jitters!

          Man oh man do I hate talking in public.

I don't know why, I just feel so nervous when all eyes are on me, and everyone is focusing on me. It's especially odd in my case, because normally in class (now), I actually participate a lot and I hope that teachers see my hand raised and will call on me. But then when it comes to presentations in front of a class, I get soooo nervous, you have no idea... I guess maybe it's because I know that my audience is actually paying attention to me when I have the floor, whereas if I participated during class times, I know that no one is paying attention to anything. Is it just me? Does that happen to you?

I have found some tricks that sometimes help me with my nervousness. I say sometimes because there are times when I can't do anything to get rid of the nervousness in me. But today, I will share with you a few tricks that I do to get rid of my jitters for any kind of situation I'm in! Enjooooy!

The number one thing is to breathe slowly and calmly, keep your breathing consistent. Everyone does that if they're nervous or scared. You try to relax yourselves so you're not stressing out. So take deep breaths. Try not to think of anything. At my Hapkido school, before we start classes, we close our eyes, put our heads down and start breathing in through our noses and breathing out through our mouths. My Hapkido Head Master/teacher says we do that to get everything out of our minds so we are relaxed and we empty out our minds.

Another trick that I like to do is to modify your brain into being confident and prepared for whatever situation you're in. For example, if you have an oral class presentation. First of all, practice speaking your presentation before hand. Second, tell yourself that you'll do great. And it's fine if you mess up once or twice during your presentation. That is what I mean by modifying your mind into being prepared for any situation.

Distract yourself from your worries for a while. What I like to do is listen to calm music. And it's also a good time to control my breathing.

Write your worries in a journal of yours. It's like you're talking to someone about your problems and you're pouring out your worries. I like writing in my journal at night. I don't necessarily do it everyday, only when I feel like it.I skip a day or two.

Now I don't know if you guys do this too, but what I do to get my mind off being nervous is pinching myself. No, it's not self-harm by the way. It's just a little pinch on my leg. It helps me get my mind off things. It works the most out of all of the other ways I calm down my jitters. I know it sounds... odd. It sounds like it's weird anyways, but it actually works for me.

So, I hope you have enjoyed reading this post! Hope you find a way to calm down the jitters!

Keep Smiling,
M-L