Giving Yourself Grace. The Power of Sleep!

This weekend, my reflection comes from a recent and deeply personal lesson I learned, one that truly brought home the profound importance of self-care and the surprising challenge of extending true grace to myself.

The Unexpected Lesson: Giving Yourself Grace

Life has a way of throwing us curveballs, doesn't it? The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of birthday celebrations followed by an unwelcome bout of sickness. It’s so easy for us to fall into that "all or nothing" trap. When life veers off our routine—what I call a "bad day" in "My Power Journal", meaning any day out of the norm—we tend to become overly judgmental. We find ourselves thinking, "I should have," "I should be able to," "I need to do this or that."

My recent experience took me on an unplanned detour. I was traveling, feeling unwell, and had a highly anticipated conference to attend. As my daughter drove me to the airport, I wrestled with just how truly unwell I was. That's when I had to take a deep look inside, just as we would for someone we love unconditionally—a child, a pet, a dear friend. When they're unwell, what do we do? We want them to take it easy, to rest, to heal.

So, I paused and asked myself: "What's needed now? How am I truly feeling?" I realized that for the next four days of planned celebration and socializing, I simply wouldn't be able to enjoy it, not authentically. It was a tough, yet absolutely necessary, decision to turn around and head back home.

For the next three and a half days, my primary directive became crystal clear: Sleep.

Why Sleep is Your Non-Negotiable Superpower

It's astonishing how often we overlook or underestimate the power of sleep. We know it’s important, but do we truly treat it as the powerhouse it is for our health? The science is undeniable: sleep is incredible for our mental, physical, and emotional well-being, and it's absolutely vital for recovery.

Even as an energetic person, I have to ask myself, "What's needed now?" Sometimes, that means going for a rest at 1:00 PM. Taking my remedies, getting into bed, and truly resting. I learned to deeply appreciate its power. That's why sleep is one of my non-negotiable wellness habits I teach in my Wellness Vortex, right alongside making sure I'm outdoors for at least 10-20 minutes a day. After gaining clarity on my mission and passion, I honestly believe sleep is the next most crucial habit. Sometimes, it even comes first.

Consider this:

Statistically, just one night of undersleeping can lead to consuming over 400 calories more the next day. Why? Our bodies crave energy, and we often reach for quick fixes. Research even suggests that prolonged sleep deprivation can mirror the cognitive effects of alcohol consumption. That's serious for our mental and cognitive function, not to mention our emotional state.

When I'm not well-rested, my judgment suffers. I lose sight of the bigger picture. The day can feel like a downward spiral, making it easy to be triggered, emotional, and reactive. Life feels like a commotion, rather than something viewed with lightness, excitement, and aliveness.

Sleep is vital, not just for feeling better and having more energy, but for prioritizing effectively, setting boundaries, and, most profoundly, for recovery. For those three and a half days, all I did was wake up, eat, take my remedies, and sleep. And with each awakening, I felt a little bit better, and then a little bit better again. It's incredible how often remedies combined with sufficient sleep can accelerate healing, sometimes even minimizing the need for medication (always consult your doctor, of course!).

Your Daily Choices: An Act of Self-Love

Just as you extend grace and care to a loved one who's not feeling well, it's time to extend that same grace to yourself. Slow down, prioritize yourself. Love your world, your communities, your activities, your business—all through the daily choices that start with you. What’s happening in the world around us is influenced by our individual choices, and it all begins within.

That's my reflection for us all this weekend. What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear your reflections in the comments below!

Final Note: Continuing Your Self-Love Journey

This reflection builds on a core theme we explored recently: Why is it so easy to love others, but we often struggle to love ourselves? Last time, we dove into establishing a successful and flexible self-care system, emphasizing your non-negotiables, finding flexibility in methods (time, location, what you do), and most importantly, understanding that self-care is an act of self-love, but self-love itself is unconditional. We explored how to generate that feeling of unconditional love for yourself, just like you would for someone you cherish without reservation.

Want more support on your journey to self-love and well-being?

• Join our VIP group! This month is all about "falling in love"—with yourself. Apply for VIP Group
• Prefer individual support? Let's chat and explore how I can help. Schedule a Chat
• Join our free wellness community for live events, supportive connections, and on-demand resources. Join Free Wellness Community

Take care of yourself, and go sleep!

P.S. If this message resonated with you, please share it with someone you feel needs to hear this today.