Why Better Sleep Begins Before Bedtime
We often treat sleep as something that should happen immediately after we turn off the light. Yet the mind and body may still be carrying the momentum of the day.
Someone who wants better sleep may buy a new pillow, stop drinking coffee late in the day, and set an earlier bedtime. These changes can help, but worry may still arrive at night: unfinished tasks, family concerns, or tomorrow’s responsibilities. The body is in bed while the nervous system remains on duty.
Creating a transition matters. A few minutes of slower breathing and heart-focused attention can signal that it is safe to shift gears. Adding a genuine feeling of appreciation or care may help move attention away from repetitive problem-solving. This does not guarantee sleep, and persistent sleep problems deserve appropriate professional care. It does provide a gentle way to practice settling rather than fighting wakefulness.
Change is easier when the new behavior includes support for the state we want to enter. Having restful sleep on a regular basis is a life-long habit we want to develop.
Worries about health, family, or changes in daily life can make it difficult to feel settled. Having a simple practice to return to may help us meet those moments with greater calm.
Health Advocates for Older People invites you to Coherence Advantage® Journey, a free six-class online series with Paula Saddler, Certified HeartMath® Trainer and Certified Yoga Therapist.
You will explore Heart Coherence™, practice simple HeartMath® tools, and learn ways to pause before reacting. The series offers time to practice and build skills gradually, with a focus on everyday stress, emotional balance, and resilience.
Wednesdays, November 4, 11, 18 and December 2, 9, 16, 2026. There is no class November 25.
3:00–4:00 PM Eastern • Online via Zoom click HERE or copy and paste this address into your browser:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/xLk35v6-SCueie27gUZQyg
Join the free series via Zoom• Questions about participating? Please email info@hafop.org. If someone you know would welcome this opportunity, please forward this invitation.
HeartMath is a registered trademark of Quantum Intech, Inc. www.heartmath.com/trademarks