Try as I might, I find it difficult to unplug after a long day. I go into autopilot: mindlessly eating in from of the TV, checking email in bed, looking at things I can’t afford on Etsy, googling Colin Firth’s wife or weird questions on Webmed (this never ends well), and eventually climbing into bed, tired and wired. It’s easy to do when it’s cold and dark outside. My husband and I are going to try a once a week “ no TV night.” While this is not revolutionary or new, it feels like something we really need to tackle: Dinner at the TABLE, followed by, music, journaling, working on a creative project, or reading. Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE eating in front of the TV. We weren’t allowed to do this as kids, so I take great pleasure as an adult, in watching my favorite series with a plate of food on my lap and a glass of wine in my hand. And there’s nothing wrong with this! It’s one of the joys of getting older;, being able to do what you like…
My plan for “ no TV nights” is to not drink at all (gasp) and to throw in a cup of Detox tea (there are many great detox teas out there-check the ingredients to make sure they work for you) or herbal tea after dinner and rather than checking email or going online, cozying up in bed with a good book.
You can try a nighttime meditation. I love the Calm App. Calm ( https://www.calm.com) is available for Apple and Android phones and on your PC or Laptop. I’m on night 4 of the 7 Days of Sleep Series. They offer series on Managing Stress, Focus, Calming Anxiety, Gratitude, and many more. If you don’t like guided meditation there are timed meditations or ambient sounds to lull you into sleep: Sunset Beach, Summer Meadow, Pouring Rain, and my current celestial sounding favorite: Suspended Droplets. There are even bedtime stories read by the lovely English actor Stephen Fry. Put your phone on nighttime mode and turn off notifications, so that you can truly unplug.
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