Can’t switch off, on edge, irritable and desperate for a good night’s sleep? You would like to wind down and relax but modern life has other plans for you. When the alarm goes off you desperately want to stay a little longer under the doona, but that desire is squashed by the need to get to work or get the kids off to school.

Once you are awake it’s difficult to slow down. You are subject to an increasing onslaught of information and stimulation; unlike anything humanity has previously known. One edition of the newspaper contains more information than someone in the 17th Century encountered in a whole lifetime. No wonder your mind is busy and can’t switch off.

Many clients we work with at Live Well are what I call ‘wired but tired’. It’s easy to become wired when your nervous system, which is responding to an avalanche of stimulation needs to run faster and faster just to keep up. 

As a consequence of being wired, it becomes progressively harder to switch off. Have you ever noticed how babies when they get overtired can’t settle and become increasingly distressed? As adults, the same process is happening, but we are better at pushing through the tiredness barrier and soldiering on. In other words, you are good at ‘switching on’ and even when you do stop for a moment your nervous system stays on standby mode, ready to leap into action again at a moment’s notice. All this go, go, go leaves you feeling deeply exhausted.

So how do we access the deep rest our bodies are craving?

• One night a week, go electronics-free; switch off the TV, and your mobile phone and hide the laptop. Better still, turn off all devices at least two hours before sleep to give your body and mind a chance to unwind. 
• Include a relaxation practice in your day, even five minutes starts to re-train your nervous system to unwind. Try listening to a guided relaxation in bed at night as you go to sleep.
• Get out in nature (park bathing) or learn to meditate both are very healing and proven to reduce stress.
• Try to ensure you are not multi-tasking all day. Find space in each day where you can stick to one task. Your nervous system will thank you.
• Remember to breathe. A few deep mindful breaths will quickly bring your mind and body into the moment and offer your nervous system a much-needed pause.
• Reach out and get support. Acupuncture is exceptionally good at helping rewire your body and mind to relearn how to access deep relaxation and restful sleep and herbal medicine can profoundly soothe an irritated and depleted nervous system. Meditation and guided relaxation are needed as a daily practice, even five minutes a couple of times a day works wonders.

Editor’s note: This wellbeing column provides information that is general in nature. Please always refer to your preferred health professional for advice suited to your personal healthcare requirements.