We all know that a good night’s sleep sets the stage for a good day giving us energy, clarity, and enthusiasm. What many of us don’t  realize is that how we spend our days has a lot to do with how restful our sleep will be. Disordered sleep is greatly influenced by disorderly days.

In our busy, stimulated, adrenaline-driven lives we have become addicted to busyness, stimulation, and the adrenaline rush. We “go-go-go” during our waking hours and then expect to immediately find restful sleep exactly when we want it. How realistic is it to go from full speed to full stop in an instant?

There are two primary strategies for living our days in a way that supports restful nights. One, make sure that you have “rest periods” during the day. This might be through a formal practice such as meditation, yoga, tai chi, or any practice that quiets and centers you. Your rest periods might be less formal, taking the form of a minute or two of mindful, belly breathing – in the shower, at your desk, in the car, while walking to your next appointment. You might also take a short break to listen to some relaxing music, say a prayer, write in your journal, really taste and enjoy your food, hug a child or good friend, have a good belly laugh, watch the sunset. Any of these little pauses throughout the day will help your body and mind know what rest feels like and, later, recognize when you want to rest to move into sleep.

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By: Anne Parker, Miraval's Wellness Counselor

Love is being present.

That is how Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk and writer on mindfulness, defines love. A simple yet powerful sentiment.

The way to connect to those you love is by being present – with the other person as well as yourself. Being present means fully engaging in what is being shared between you in that moment – truly paying attention to the thoughts, feelings, and actions you are sharing now. This may sound obvious and straightforward, and it is. However, think about how you and your beloved interact during the course of a typical day. How much are you truly present with each other? How often is your communication “on the fly” or happening while “multitasking”? How often, while listening to the other speak, are you interpreting what they are saying into what you think they really mean? And then, when you respond, you are responding to what you’ve decided they meant instead of what they said?

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Did you know that it takes about three months for a new habit or shift in lifestyle patter to "take hold?" Research shows that even though positive results from a new habit or patter can be experienced quickly, it typically requires about three months of repitition for the new habit or pattern to fully replace the old one. Success in changing a habit or shifting a pattern comes through replacing it with a new one - not just trying to get rid of the old one. Here are three quick steps for supporting yourself through transition:

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