Well, [name], are you feeling overwhelmed? Are there too many options? There’s an easy solution: Ignore almost all of them. Only choose the one or very few that you think might work for you. The ones that caught your attention and can easily be added to your schedule. The rest of the activities, set aside. They might be useful on another day or for another person but not for you right now.
I admit - I love today’s activity. It’s easy to do in bed. I now have such an association with it, even as I type this, I yawn.
Here it is!
Have your child lie on their back, looking at the ceiling. They keep this position during the entire activity. Their head does not move. Only their eyes and eyelids will move.
Have them look to the right. Continue to look to the right for 30 seconds or until they yawn, sigh, or swallow. Blink as needed.
Then repeat, looking to the left for 30 seconds or until they yawn, sigh, or swallow.
Repeat looking at both sides if you wish but it’s not necessary. It’s definitely necessary to repeat each side nightly.
That’s it! It can also be sequenced it with diaphragmatic breathing.
As some of these activities are learned, they can easily be combined to create a new sleep routine. But that happens later. Right now, it’s all about testing out which pieces will eventually be included in your new routine.
Tomorrow: Day 12: Ears and Sleep: Gentle Pulls for Tranquility