The Quiet Gift of Staying in Bed

These are difficult times. Events unfolding around the world can leave us feeling overwhelmed and distracted. At the same time the demands of work, family, and everyday life compete for our attention. So, we seek relief by taking vacations, through our hobbies, exercise, time with loved ones, food and drink, among other ways. I’m discovering that one of the simplest opportunities to restore ourselves is just there
waiting for us each morning—it’s the first few quiet minutes after we awake.

Sleep is one of our body’s most important forms of renewal. When we are sleeping, our brain processes experiences, organizes memories, regulates emotions, and prepares us for the day ahead. Immediately after awaking there is a brief period of fog and adjustment as the mind moves from sleep to full alertness.

However, once that fog begins to clear we enter an extremely valuable period of calm, openness, and reflection. In this peaceful space, solutions to problems can unexpectedly arise, fresh ideas can take shape, and plans that seemed confusing the night before may become clearer. When free from the noise and urgency of the day, our mind is able to make connections that we might otherwise miss. These quiet insights can be surprisingly practical, creative, and reassuring.

Consider remaining in bed for just a few extra minutes after you awaken, and give the mind room to breathe. Try resisting the impulse to reach for your phone, turn on the television, talk to someone, check the news, or begin worrying about the day. Instead, as you would at the beginning of a yoga or meditation session, breathe gently, remain still, and allow your thoughts to flow in without forcing or judging them.

Those few minutes are not wasted time; they can be an investment in clarity, creativity, and emotional well-being. By giving our brain a gentle transition into the day, we may discover a helpful answer, a forgotten priority, a fresh perspective, or simply a deeper sense of peace. Tomorrow morning, before allowing the outside world to rush in, acknowledge and accept the gift of staying in bed a little longer, and listen to what your rested mind is trying to tell you.

–Markly Wilson