When preparing for a significant event, such as a competition or performance, it’s common to experience heightened mental alertness and physiological changes due to activating hormones, hence making it difficult to sleep. Acknowledging these responses as adaptive can help reduce stress. Practicing gratitude towards the body’s efforts can be beneficial. Techniques like intention setting, focusing on rest rather than sleep, and using breathing exercises can help calm the mind. Additionally, movement and touch, such as yoga or acupressure, can aid in releasing tension and promoting relaxation. By focusing on what can be controlled, such as intentions and self-care, individuals can better manage their pre-event anxiety and rest effectively, even if sleep is elusive.

Editor’s Note: Techniques like intention setting, mindfulness, and breathwork, long integral to spiritual disciplines, are now recognized for their practical applications in promoting rest and well-being. These practices, rooted in various spiritual traditions, offer more than just relaxation; they facilitate a profound return to our true selves—unlimited and powerful co-creators of our reality. In this sense, they bridge the divide between the spiritual and the mundane, echoing the wisdom of mystics across cultures who have long understood that rest is spiritual, and will awaken us to our deepest potential.