As we celebrate the 10th Annual Sleep In by Project Sleep and March 10th Suddenly Sleep Saturday for Sleep Awareness, I thought it was time to share my story about narcolepsy and how this battle led me to create The BeMo Practice.

Above The Sheets: My Relationship With Sleep 

I was first diagnosed with narcolepsy in my early to mid-20s and rediagnosed at the age of 27 - a time when the diagnosis created a lot of complications in my newfound relationship with Stark. I would go on extreme medications that would require me to have an extreme level of trust with a guy that I felt I'd only just met, and everything about it felt... vulnerable.  

 

Throughout our relationship, I've had several sleep-related breakdowns that led to several sleepless night breakups. For years, we'd joke about how it had been "X number of days since we broke up in an airport." All joking aside, it was also very accurate.  

 

I had this nearly nightly monster moment that would occur almost schizophrenically. I could feel it happen. Eventually, Stark could see it in my eyes. It was the moment I should have been asleep, but I wasn't; in that moment, all hell broke loose.  

 

Exacerbated by extreme stress from my career, moving, traveling, and more, I would reach a point of over-exhaustion compounded by the fear that I would not get enough sleep. I'd melt down - yelling, screaming, throwing things, accusing, slamming doors, walking out, all to... sleep? It's no wonder that narcolepsy is most often misdiagnosed as depressive anxiety and schizophrenia (see: monster moment).  

 

As someone with narcolepsy, I feel endlessly frustrated by the ass-backward fact that I had the most energy at night. I am often offended by assumptions. If I shared my truth with anyone, I'd feel instantly alienated and immediately be bombarded with misunderstanding - people who insist their sleep is worse, can't relate because their sleep is so much better, or challenge the fact that I have narcolepsy at all because clearly, I'm not falling asleep all the time.

 

*Face Palm*

 

I didn't have the energy to repeatedly educate and defend against everyone. So, I kept it to myself. For years. Decades. But like many things we keep locked inside ourselves, they unleash like fierce dragons consuming our lives in one fiery breath. In this case, I was the dragon. I could keep this terror hidden from most people, but it was destroying everything in the darker path of midnight. Until... it wasn't.

 

By the time I decided I would take up journaling again, I was back to having seizures at work during the day - hitting my head on my desk, passing out for unknown periods, and trying to slink out the back door of the office late at night so no one would see my drenched from shock-induced excessive sweating. Seizures were my first misdiagnosis, and I knew I was having them again due to an inability to manage stress - psyching out my brain's sleep-wake cycles so much so that I'd simultaneously hit the desk and appear to be attempting some zombie backflip. At least, this is how I imagined I looked at this moment, and the idea of it embarrassed me deeply.

 

I'd been a journaler before, so I decided to pick up the habit again for no other reason than to keep from saying things out loud (hello monster). I lived in constant fear that I had gone one step too far, everything I'd done right was now wrong, and everything I'd built up was now fallen down. I was constantly playing a game of life while expecting Game Over. Forget about sleep quality; my life quality was not much to shake a stick at at this point.

 

My journey to better sleep and, by extension, a more secure life began on restless nights filled with constant mental chatter. Seeking solace, I turned to books on communication and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) in hopes of finding tranquility. These methods offered a glimpse into peace but failed to address the deeper emotional undercurrents. After years of studying sleep, communication, therapies, and psychology and weighing it all against my personal experience, this gap led to the birth of The BeMo Practice - a more profound approach to emotional and mental well-being.

 

The Sleep Struggle: A Widespread Issue

It's no secret that sleep disorders, particularly Insomnia and nighttime anxiety, are prevalent. Studies suggest that "nearly 40% of adults report falling asleep during the day without meaning to at least once a month. Also, an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans have chronic, or ongoing, sleep disorders." (Source: National Institute of Health)

 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, or CBT-I, is an evidence-based treatment designed to address the mental and behavioral aspects of Insomnia. It aims to modify the thoughts and actions contributing to sleep difficulties, thereby improving sleep quality and duration without needing medication. 

 

Here's how CBT-I it works:

1. Stimulus Control Therapy: This technique focuses on associating the bed and bedroom with sleep and sexual activity only, helping to strengthen the bed/bedroom as cues for sleep while weakening them as cues for wakefulness. Instructions might include:

   - Go to bed only when sleepy.

   - Use the bed only for sleep and sexual activity, not for work or leisure activities.

   - If unable to sleep within 20 minutes, get up and leave the bedroom to engage in a quiet activity until feeling sleepy, then return to bed. This helps to break the association between being in bed and feeling awake.

 

2. Sleep Restriction Therapy: This involves limiting the time spent in bed to the actual time spent asleep, creating mild sleep deprivation to increase sleep efficiency. For example:

   - If a person spends 8 hours in bed but only sleeps for 6, the time in bed is initially limited to 6 hours.

   - As sleep efficiency improves, the time in bed gradually increases.

 

3. Cognitive Therapy: Addresses the worry and negative thoughts ("cognitive distortions") about sleep. For example, the belief that "I must get 8 hours of sleep to function" can be challenged and replaced with more flexible and realistic thoughts.

 

4. Sleep Hygiene Education: Involves teaching about healthy sleep habits and environmental factors that can influence sleep, such as caffeine and alcohol consumption, exercise, sleep environment, and exposure to light.

 

5. Relaxation Techniques: Methods such as progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing exercises, and guided imagery can help reduce physical tension and mental stress, making it easier to fall asleep.

 

While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is highly effective in addressing insomnia sleep issues, its ability to identify and cognitively reprogram limiting beliefs is, ironically, limited. Without a therapist to directly guide you (which is only as effective as your ability to be in and increase your own level of shared awareness), it does not address deeper underlying narratives that require healing or a range of other sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, or sleep apnea. 

 

How To Sleep Better with BeMo: Enhancing Sleep Quality with The BeMo Practice

The BeMo Practice elevates the CBT-I approach by allowing you to go taller, broader, and deeper - delving into the emotional aspects that often go unaddressed. 

 

Incorporating The BeMo Practice into your nightly routine can significantly enhance various aspects of achieving quality sleep. Here's how this unique practice directly contributes to a restful night:

 

Here's how The BeMo Practice works to promote better sleep quality:

1. Deep Emotional Unpacking: The BeMo Practice encourages a thorough exploration of emotions and needs, offering a holistic approach to understanding and soothing nighttime anxiety while promoting subconscious healing during the stages of REM, ensuring that the potentially heightened cortisol levels and stress activity associated with conscious healing efforts are gently processed in the subconscious, ready to be addressed when you are.

 

2. Personalized Self-Soothing: By focusing on the specific feelings, needs, and personal truths unique to each person, The BeMo Practice ensures that self-soothing techniques are directly aligned with individual emotional landscapes, leading to more effective, sustainable, and long-lasting improvements in sleep quality.

 

3. Harmonizing Sleep-Inducing Hormones: By providing a space for emotional expression and relaxation before bedtime, The BeMo Practice aids in diminishing stress and anxiety. This stress reduction can decrease nighttime cortisol levels, fostering a rise in melatonin production and promoting a deeper, more restorative sleep.

 

4. Enhancing Mental Clarity: Engaging in reflective journaling helps process the day's events and emotions, a critical step for cognitive health. This mental unpacking allows your brain to enter a state of rest more peacefully, free from the clutter of unresolved emotional disturbances.

 

The REM cycle facilitates a restful night's sleep and plays a crucial role in embedding the feel, deal, reveal, and healing process into memory. REM sleep is known for its role in consolidating memories, making it an opportune time for the mind to engage in emotional processing and self-awareness activities. This synchronization allows for literal healing of the mind-body connection during sleep, promoting overall well-being and facilitating the transformative journey of self-discovery and healing.

 

5. Promoting Relaxation Responses: The emotional regulation and self-soothing strategies within The BeMo Practice activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body's 'rest and digest' functions. This activation helps decrease the 'fight or flight' responses, ushering in a relaxation conducive to sleep.

 

6. Preparing & Optimizing Your Sleep Environment: Through the thoughtful identification of needs and actionable steps outlined in the FUNCK Methodology, you may pinpoint specific adjustments to enhance your physical comfort and relaxation, such as modifying your bedding or sleepwear.

 

7. Minimizing Pre-Sleep Stimulation: Choosing a self-soothing and healing journaling practice like BeMo's as a part of your pre-sleep ritual provides a serene activity that helps steer the mind away from the stimulating effects of electronic devices and other sensory inputs, thus preparing your brain for a night of restful sleep.

 

By integrating The BeMo Practice into your evening routine, you're not just setting the stage for a better night's sleep but embracing a holistic approach to well-being that acknowledges the intricate interplay between mind and body.

 

Let's discuss how moving through this three-step self-healing practice helps enhance sleep alongside other essential recommendations for a healthier sleep routine.

 

Creating A Ritual For Sleep

To maximize the benefits of The BeMo Practice, incorporating sleep hygiene best practices can further improve sleep quality:

 

Consistent Sleep Schedule

Regular sleep and wake times help regulate your internal clock. By going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, you synchronize this internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up naturally. Additionally, a consistent sleep schedule promotes better sleep quality and duration, allowing your body to anticipate and prepare for rest simultaneously each night. This can lead to improved daytime alertness, cognitive function, and mood.

 

Optimized Sleep Environment

 Ensure your bedroom is conducive to sleep—cool, dark, and quiet. The ideal sleeping temperature is generally around 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 19.4 degrees Celsius), as recommended by sleep experts. This temperature range is conducive to promoting comfortable and restful sleep for most individuals. Why? One of the mind-body signifiers of time to sleep is your basal body temperature lowering by 1-2 full degrees (F). As bedtime approaches, the body's core temperature naturally decreases, reaching its lowest point during the early stages of sleep. This drop in temperature helps facilitate the transition to sleep and is part of the body's natural circadian rhythm.

 

Reduced Screen Time 

Limit exposure to screens and blue light before bedtime. Reduced screen time is crucial for melatonin production because screens emit blue light, suppressing the body's natural production. This hormone regulates the sleep-wake cycle and influences mood. By limiting screen exposure before bedtime, especially from devices like TVs and phones, individuals can support the body's ability to naturally prepare for sleep, regulate mood, and improve overall sleep quality.

 

Mindful Eating

Avoid heavy meals and caffeine close to bedtime. Eating your final meal of the day at least 2-3 hours before bedtime or any required bedtime medications is generally recommended. Eating late at night can disrupt sleep due to the body's increased energy expenditure for digestion, interfering with the transition to sleep and restorative sleep quality. Additionally, consuming food close to bedtime can lead to fat storage as the body's metabolism slows down during sleep, negatively affecting daytime wakefulness, mood, and focus. Opting for lighter, easily digestible meals earlier in the evening supports better sleep and overall well-being.

 

Bedtime Tip: Incorporating Lavender Rooibos tea from the BeMo Boutique into your bedtime routine offers the soothing effects of rooibos and enhances relaxation with the calming aroma of lavender, promoting a more tranquil and restful sleep experience.

 

Relaxation Techniques 

Calming activities such as restorative yoga, yoga nidra, or nighttime story meditations before bed can significantly improve sleep quality. These practices help to relax the mind and body, reducing stress and tension accumulated throughout the day. By engaging in mindfulness and deep breathing exercises tailored explicitly for bedtime, you can signal to your body that it's time to unwind and prepare for sleep, facilitating a smoother transition into a restful state. Including these soothing activities in your bedtime routine can alleviate insomnia symptoms and promote a more rejuvenating night's rest.

 

Red Light Therapy

A personal favorite of mine because, next to my chart, cherry juice works every time - red light therapy stimulates the cells in the retina, particularly the specialized cells known as melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells (mRGCs). These cells are sensitive to light and are crucial in regulating circadian rhythms and melatonin production. When exposed to red light, mRGCs send signals to the brain's suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the body's master clock. This signal triggers the suppression of the alertness hormone cortisol. It prompts the release of melatonin from the pineal gland, signaling the body that it is time to prepare for sleep. Therefore, red light therapy helps to synchronize the body's internal clock and promote the natural production of melatonin, which is essential for regulating the sleep-wake cycle and promoting restful sleep.

 

Establishing a Predictable Sleep Schedule with Nightly Journaling 

I'm sure you've heard the advice, "Don't go to bed angry," and yet so many of us have no idea how many feelings, like anger, we are harboring until we find ourselves tossing and turning, snacking, engaging in unhealthy avoidance by scrolling or watching TV, and more. These nighttime habits are all indicators of emotional avoidance or misguided coping mechanisms.  

 

The BeMo Practice can become a cornerstone of your nightly wind-down routine, helping signal to your body that it's time to transition towards sleep, thereby assisting in regulating your circadian rhythm. If you struggle with anxious thoughts or worry about oncoming rest, journal.

 

Embracing nightly journaling with The BeMo Journal offers a profound opportunity to reflect on the day's events, process emotions, and ease into sleep with a clear mind. By jotting down thoughts, feelings, and experiences, you create a space for self-expression and introspection, allowing you to unload any mental clutter before bedtime. This practice helps to release pent-up stress and tension. It fosters a sense of closure, letting you let go of worries and anxieties that may otherwise keep you awake. 

 

Additionally, journaling can be cathartic, promoting relaxation and mindfulness as you transition into a peaceful slumber - yes, even when you find yourself plowing through a dozen difficult pages, releasing pent-up anger by having those "would be" conversations between yourself and the page. (Been there!). Integrating nightly journaling into your bedtime routine with The BeMo Journal can be a transformative tool for improving sleep quality and overall well-being.

 

For better sleep, the body requires a combination of internal functions and external factors to work harmoniously. 

 

Here's a breakdown of the key internal needs for quality sleep:

1. Regulated Circadian Rhythm: The body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm, dictates sleep-wake cycles, aligning with environmental cues like light and darkness. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule helps regulate this rhythm, promoting better sleep quality.

 

2. Balanced Sleep Hormones: The production and regulation of sleep-related hormones, such as the proper increase of melatonin and decrease of cortisol, are crucial. Melatonin, often called the "sleep hormone," signals the body to prepare for sleep. At the same time, cortisol levels should decrease at night to facilitate restfulness.

 

3. Optimal Brain Function: During sleep, the brain goes through various stages, including REM (rapid eye movement), deep, and light sleep. These stages are vital for cognitive functions such as memory consolidation, emotional processing, and removing toxins that accumulate during the day.

 

4. Reduced Sympathetic Nervous System Activity: The body's relaxation response should be activated, reducing the "fight or flight" stress responses of the sympathetic nervous system. This allows the parasympathetic nervous system to support rest and digestion. (See: Journaling, red light therapy, relaxation techniques).

 

5. Temperature Regulation: Again, the body's core temperature naturally drops to initiate sleep. A cooler bedroom environment can mimic this internal process and aid in falling asleep faster and staying asleep longer. If your sheets do not breathe, your covers are too thick, or you do not have airflow, you will experience more wakefulness and add unnecessary agitation to your night and your day.

 

6. Physical Comfort and Relaxation: Muscular relaxation and physical comfort are essential for quality sleep. This includes a comfortable sleeping environment, a supportive mattress, and pillows that accommodate individual sleeping positions. Ensure that your pillow structure supports your sleep style (side sleeper, back sleeper, stomach sleeper) and allows your head to rest at the same level as though you were standing in that same position - opening the nose for better breathing pathways and reducing mouth-breathing which can lead to poor sleep and reduced immune support.

 

7. Nutritional Support: Certain nutrients and foods can support sleep. For example, magnesium is involved in muscle relaxation, zinc, and calcium are involved in the production of neurotransmitters and sleep hormones, B6 synthesizes neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine for better sleep patterns during the day, and tryptophan can aid in the production of melatonin.

 

Foods high in melatonin include:

1. Tart Cherries
2. Tomatoes
3. Grapes
4. Walnuts
5. Olives
6. Strawberries
7. Pineapple
8. Oranges
9. Corn
10. Rice

Foods that can support better sleep include:

1. Turkey: Rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes sleepiness.

2. Almonds: A good source of magnesium, which can help relax muscles and promote sleep.

3. Tart Cherries: Contain melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles.

4. Kiwi: High in antioxidants and serotonin, which may improve sleep quality.

5. Fatty Fish: Such as salmon, trout, and mackerel, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which may enhance sleep quality.

6. Bananas: Contain magnesium and potassium, which can help relax muscles and regulate sleep.

7. Oatmeal: Contains melatonin and complex carbohydrates, which may help promote relaxation and sleepiness.

8. Herbal Teas: Such as lavender, chamomile or valerian root tea, known for their calming effects and ability to promote sleep.

9. Warm Milk: Contains tryptophan and may have a calming effect on the body, aiding in sleep.

10. Whole Grains: Brown rice and quinoa contain magnesium and tryptophan, which can contribute to better sleep quality.

 

By addressing these internal needs and creating an environment conducive to rest, the body can achieve the restorative sleep necessary for overall health and well-being.

 

The Dangers of Poor Sleep

Insufficient light sleep can contribute to fatigue, impaired immune function, and an increased susceptibility to infections. Therefore, all stages of sleep are essential for overall health and well-being.

 

The Importance of REM Sleep for Memory

REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is crucial for cognitive function, memory consolidation, and emotional regulation. REM sleep deprivation may result in mood disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and impaired emotional regulation.  

Over time, a lack of proper REM or a genetic predisposition to lower levels of REM sleep could increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Therefore, ensuring adequate REM sleep is essential for maintaining optimal brain function and reducing the risk of cognitive decline.

 

The Importance of Deep Sleep for Mind-Body Connection

Deep sleep, also known as slow-wave sleep, is essential for physical rest and recovery, including muscle repair and growth hormone release. Chronic deprivation of deep sleep can have significant consequences on physical and mental health. Deep sleep is essential for the body's repair and regeneration processes, including tissue growth and muscle repair. 

 

Without enough deep sleep, individuals may experience impaired immune function, increased susceptibility to infections, and slower healing from injuries. Mentally, inadequate deep sleep can lead to cognitive deficits, memory problems, mood disturbances, and decreased ability to focus and concentrate. 

 

Over time, chronic lack of deep sleep may contribute to the development of conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Therefore, prioritizing deep sleep is crucial for overall health and well-being.

 

The Importance of Light Sleep for Immune FUnction

Light sleep helps regulate body temperature, maintain immune function, and process information from the day. 

 

Each stage of sleep is vital for overall health and well-being. Light sleep, also known as non-REM Stages 1 and 2, plays a crucial role in the sleep cycle. While not as deep as REM sleep or Stage 3 (deep) sleep, light sleep is essential for transitioning between wakefulness and deeper sleep stages. During light sleep, the body may still be somewhat responsive to external stimuli, making it easier to wake up. 

 

Light sleep contributes to memory consolidation, helping to process and store information gathered throughout the day. It also allows the body to rest and recover, maintaining overall health and vitality. 

 

Chronic deprivation of light sleep can lead to disruptions in the sleep cycle, resulting in daytime fatigue, impaired cognitive function, and mood disturbances. Therefore, adequate light sleep is essential for achieving restorative sleep and optimal daytime functioning.

 

The Best of Both Worlds: CBT + FUNCK Can Work Together

Incorporating a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) workbook into your BeMo Practice can enhance your overall approach to holistic well-being. Begin by integrating CBT-I exercises into your BeMo journaling sessions, using prompts from the workbook to explore thoughts and behaviors related to sleep as part of your Brain Dump. As you delve into your sleep patterns and beliefs surrounding sleep, supplement these reflections with the BeMo Practice's FUNCK Methodology to uncover deeper emotional truths and underlying narratives that may contribute to sleep-wake experiences. 

 

By intertwining CBT-I techniques with the BeMo Practice, you can address sleep disturbances' behavioral and emotional aspects, fostering a more comprehensive approach to healing and self-awareness. 

 

BeMo Journal Prompts for Sleep Awareness

1. When your Need is for Wakefulness, and your experience is with Excessive Sleepiness:

Reflect on your experiences of feeling excessively tired during the day. What was going on in your life when this first started for you? How do you feel, or how would you feel if you were always awake/often? What anxieties, fears, worries, etc., do you feel with excessive wakefulness? Why? What has been your experience when awake? What underlying factors or patterns might contribute to this ongoing fatigue? Consider stress levels, sleep quality, lifestyle habits, and overall health. What hidden narratives or personal stories might explain why you struggle with excessive sleepiness?

 

2. When your Need is for Sleep, and your experience is with Poor Sleep Quality or Insomnia:

Explore the challenges you face when trying to wind down for bed and experiencing limited feelings of tiredness. What thoughts, emotions, or external factors might inhibit your ability to feel sleepy at night? What happens when you imagine being unaware, asleep, or resting? How does that feel? What are your feelings and beliefs about sleep or sleepiness? What are your fears or anxieties about sleep? Delve into hidden narratives or past experiences that could influence your relationship with sleep and nighttime relaxation.

 

3. When your Need is for a better Sleep Ritual, and your experience is with Poor Habits and Sleep Avoidance:

Reflect on your nighttime coping mechanisms, such as snacking or watching TV. Most people believe they are waiting for sleep to happen when engaging in these poor sleep habits when subconsciously, you're actively avoiding sleep. Ask yourself, why would I need or want to avoid sleep? How has avoiding sleep served me in the past? What underlying needs, emotions, or stressors might drive these eating behaviors and watching TV in ed? Consider how past experiences, habits, or beliefs shape your approach to managing sleep difficulties. What hidden narratives or personal insights could help you understand why you cope with sleep avoidance in this way?

 

These revised prompts encourage deeper exploration of the hidden narratives behind excessive or limited sleepiness and coping with sleep avoidance, fostering self-awareness and insight into personal sleep patterns and behaviors.

 

Bundling Up & Putting it To Bed 

My transformation from sleepless nights to peaceful slumber was a profound journey, with The BeMo Practice playing a pivotal role. This approach enhanced my sleep and enriched my overall quality of life. 

 

Here is an excerpt from my blog about my experience in feeling, dealing, revealing, and healing my narrative with sleep.

 

I was finally ready to accept that I have a Need for safety in rest. I was able to realize the deep fear I have in closing my eyes – being absent, gone, asleep - was complicated by my equal fear of being awake – aware, present, vulnerable. This allowed me to choose to read, choose to hike, choose to do things that serve me better without the anxiety driven behaviors behind them.

 

There are no words I can write here or say that will express the traumatic overcoming required to wake with the light and accept the oncoming darkness.

 

My journey through the fear of sleep/fear of being awake is not done. In fact, it has only begun. But in this new beginning, I have found resolve and worth in not “having to” read or “having to” journal or “having to” wear myself out with 8-10 miles of hiking each day, all in an effort to skip the waking nightmare of midnight awareness.

This has been my most incredible journey in well-being this year and, admittedly, ever.

THIS has been the journey of Knowing I Can face the darkness and remain… awake. 

Read this full post on Wordpress here and on Substack here.

 

Working with both a therapist and a sleep expert who knew each other and communicated openly about my case with narcolepsy, I was never able to stay asleep or use medication to overcome my fears about a lack of sleep. Year after year, I'd cycle through getting used to a medication, becoming dependent on that medication, and having the medication no longer work for me - starting over again far too often and leaving through weeks of Insomnia as I'd detox one dependency and search madly for another source.

 

After 15 consecutive years of medicating my sleep-wake cycles and 20 years of prescribed sleep medications in total, I was able to consciously reduce my medicine intake and instead rely on my sleep rituals, including my nightly BeMo Practice. With the awareness I unearthed through my BeMo Journaling practice, I learned to intentionally feed my need for rest with proper foods and a strict eating time. Through journaling and my sleep routine, I minimized the fight/flight/freeze/faint/fawn reactions I had day and night that prevented me from ever being fully awake or asleep. Now, I am celebrating a full year of absolutely zero prescribed medications during the day or at night - first titrating to a jam-packed food and supplement routine to help heal my sleep hormones and promote neurotransmission around sleep. Today, I take only a specific blend of magnesium each night. This is what works for me. This is my journey.

 

This is not medical advice. Please make your decisions based on your awareness of your mind-body Needs and the doctors and healing professionals in your life.

 

For me, The BeMo Practice helped me to unearth my sleep narrative and heal symptoms of Narcolepsy Type 1 (Narcolepsy with Cataplexy) that manifested, for me, as a daytime sleepiness that resulted in nighttime Insomnia. Please note that while I was able to heal my symptoms, the symptoms are not the diagnosis. I still have Narcolepsy with Cataplexy. It is still evident to me, and I am made aware of it at times. What I no longer have is excessive or unmanageable symptoms. I no longer have a bad relationship with sleep. I no longer have poor habits around how I manage my days or nights.

 

The versatility of The BeMo Practice extends beyond addressing narcolepsy and Insomnia, offering benefits for a wide range of sleep disorders. Its holistic approach aids in Circadian Rhythm Disorders, managing Restless Leg syndrome (RLS), Sleep Apnea, Idiopathic Hypersomnia, and Kleine-Levin syndrome.

 

In essence, The BeMo Practice offers a complementary tool in managing various sleep disorders, emphasizing the importance of mental and emotional health in achieving restorative sleep.

 

If you're navigating the turbulent waters of nighttime anxiety and seeking a beacon of tranquility, consider The BeMo Practice. It's not just a journaling routine; it's a gateway to a restful night and a more harmonious life.

 

A Guided Approach: The BeMo Journal & Practice offers a structured pathway to tackle these challenges head-on, promoting holistic well-being and self-discovery. 📘 Dive into a practice that nurtures your body, mind, and soul. Let's embark on this healing journey together. ✨

 

Other Resources:

If you struggle with sleep and would like to engage with a community of individuals like you, visit Project-Sleep.com to support Sleep Disorder awareness.

If you struggle with Narcolepsy or other Sleep Disorders of any kind, we recommend sleep coaching and sleep behavior courses from NarcolepsyLifeAcademy.com.

If you, like I used to, suffer from suicidal ideation and dissociative patterns due to lack of sleep or fears around sleep, please call a Suicidal Hotline in your area. In the United States, dial 988. Click here for international numbers.