#176 Keep yourself in the dark

Literally speaking of course, not metaphorically... Metaphorically we should all be reveling in the untamed sunlight of the spirit etc etc... but you know. Maybe just not today.

Still suffering only slightly from jet lag, I am a chronic pain blogger on a mission to spread sleep awareness this week. And as a Scandinavian used to living close to the realm of the midnight sun, I know this piece of advice to be absolutely true:

Keep yourself in the dark.

Light bouncing off your retina affects release of serotonin and melatonin, the most important hormones for regulating sleep. That's why it's important to stay in a dimly lit environment the last couple of hours before you go to bed, and to keep your bedroom dark all through the night. If this for reason of latitude or otherwise (like a partner who likes to keep the light on) may I suggest you get something like this Cat Nap Sleep mask...

#128 Don't fight it

Some fights are important, and some fights are...well... not so important. When it comes to health, I actually believe we win the most by NOT fighting. We often use the metaphor of battle when we are talking about health. We are "fighting the disease", a patient is meant to be a strong survivor and a brave warrior who never gives up in the face of adversity.

Why can't we focus on healing instead?

I don't want to fight against arthritis and chronic pain my entire life, because that means my body will be a battleground. The disease is there, and when I focus on fighting it, it just seems to grow stronger and take more and more space and energy. By making a sustained and committed effort to promote my own health, well being, balance and healing I am achieving much more in the way of a healthy and happy pain-free life than my "fight against disease" ever did.

Can you see the difference?

Is it possible to make peace with your disease, lay down your weapons and see how you can increase your well being and health instead of fighting?