Why Self Awareness is the first step towards Personalised Health

Last week at this time, I spoke at a unique event hosted by The Patina Hotels in the Maldives on Experience as Healing.

During my two talks, I shared many insights on what it takes to get better sleep.   And as I took my time in this island paradise to slow life down and reflect on my own relationship with sleep, I kept asking myself “Why do I focus so much on sleep?”

If you’ve heard me speak about sleep, lucid dreaming, and my creative journey – either at one my corporate or consumer well-being talks, at a conference, or simply when catching up over a meal, you know that I’m sold on the benefits of great sleep.  As Matthew Walker puts it in his book Why We Sleep, “When sleep is abundant, there is vitality and health.”   But understanding outcomes doesn’t explain how to get started.

To get started on any journey towards better health – whether you are starting from good health or dealing with a health issue such as weight, the flu, or a long-term health issue – you must have the personal motivation to make a change.    I define this willingness to make a change in behaviour as Self Awareness.

For better sleep, this starts with establishing or refining a Sleep Hygiene Practice.   The core objective of these routines is to transition away from being a Problem-Solving Adult to Finding Your Inner Child.   In other words, opening up your mind so you can sleep better.

During my talks, I dive into establishing the root cause of our societal sleep challenges, why we need to change our own behaviour, and a clear roadmap for your Action Plan.   But this Self Awareness change can be applicable towards any future health change, regardless of how small or large the challenge may be for you.

By taking this step, every person can then be open to what the Future of Healthcare wants to offer us:   Individualised interventions when we want them, when we need, then, where it is most convenient, and at a price that makes them affordable for everyone.   I call this change in health Humane Health.

When Brains Dream:  Exploring the Science and Mystery of Sleep by Antonio Zadra and Robert Stickgold

For the little ones in your life:

The Magic of Sleep:  A fascinating guide to the world of slumber by Vicky Woodgate

And if you want a fiction story related to sleep to kickstart your sleep hygiene practice, try:

The Second Sleep by Robert Harris.   I enjoy Robert Harris books, and this one has some fun and unexpected twists and turns set against a backdrop of the long forgotten and perhaps not widely known practice during medieval times of having a first and second sleep.   It’s a different type of novel as he ventures outside of his usual territories.

Finally, if you’d like to learn more about my talks on Sleep – including how to put an Action Plan for better sleep into place - please contact me through LinkedIn, Instagram, or through email.

Happy Sleeping!

Tony