My bedtime story

Just like so many others, I too have had to deal with racing thoughts and trouble falling asleep, whenever I'm under attack by either Swedish authorities or my enemy, but I've developed a system to let go. Since I haven't had a permanent home for many years, my sleep is sacred. Not to be disturbed. Never to be questioned. (Unless in an emergency.) I have ever since my teenage years known that I perform the best when I get 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep. I can cope with only 7 for a couple of days if needed, but preferably not. Not surprisingly, I don't take someone's willfully disturbance lightly. Not getting enough sleep not only makes me tired and grumpy, and makes my stomach more sensitive, it shortens my fuse and I even speak less clearly. Add thereto a much slower brain and not being able to be as focused. Nothing of this should come as any surprise to anyone, who at least has the foundation of knowledge of what constitutes good health. Unfortunately, there is a Swedish woman who has disturbed my sleep both directly from a distance for more than 20 years (which I understood in Hawai'i when it happened there at 4 pm instead of am) , and indirectly through her slander and false accusations for more than 10 years. This is one of the major reasons for why I haven't been able to work full-time, less start my own business, at least not in Sweden.

So, what I do myself to ensure getting a good night's sleep:

• I shower in the evening, and thus "shower off" what has transpired during the day, whether simply when I'm done sending in job-applications, watching a webinar, working or practicing yoga or dance, or even just shaking lose any tensions after having sat down for a long time. After this I eat and never work.

• I turn off all my lights, but for one small, so that I adjust my eyes to it becoming more dark and I get more sleepy.

• I either watch a little TV, like a nice drama or romantic comedy, or series, or scroll a little on Instagram to relax, making sure I don't watch any violence or fast cut action.

• I try to go to bed at the same time and usually fall asleep very fast. Sometimes, I think a little about someone I might long for to see, or even laugh at some stupidity I've read or perceived online previously.

• I turn off my sound and mobile data on my phone to not get intruded upon during the night and never have any notifications on, but for bank-apps and phone messages.

• I remain in bed during the night and don't turn on any lights if I get up to use the restroom, thus keeping it dark, even if I become awakened, and have my water bottle on my nightstand.

• I usually wake up a short while before the alarm is set to go off, if I have set it. I need my time to wake up, so I might snooze for even an hour, although I set it accordingly.

• I linger a while in bed, coillecting my thoughts about what to wear, what I'm going to do, and often what I'm going to write (and jot down a headline).

• I do check my emails and do a quick browse of the Swedish news before I get up, but this is mostly due to the fragility of my financial situation where I might have to submit more forms, copies or replies, or simply in order to see if there is something that I need to attend to directly during the day.

Having your own bedtime ritual, is a good way to take care of yourself and prioritize your health.