Writing a book or screenplay can be highly stressful under any circumstance, but if you have other things you must do, the stress gets worse. On top of “slave job” related stress, there is also the insanity that is going on around us: plane crashes, beheadings, computer hackings, buildings exploding and collapsing, etc. Add to that the pressure of the holidays that seem to endlessly interrupt our attempts to proceed in a regular orderly fashion, and finally add the dramas with our friends and lovers. It’s a wonder we writers get any work done!
As if all of that weren’t enough, after fifteen years of coaching, I have found that the root cause of sleeplessness is anxiety about the future. Not just the immediate future, but also our Future with a capital “F” and the eventual end. So, even if you find a way to soothe yourself of all of the immediate concerns, on some level, we are all continuously dealing with the big “D.”
A great writer once wrote, “Anyone who says they do not fear death is a liar.” The bad news is that we’re all going to die at some point, but this can also be good news. Since death is inevitable, there is no point in worrying about it, and letting the anxiety generate stress and prevent sleep.
Here are four solutions that often work for me to help make sleep more productive and easy to attain:
1. Turn off the TV an hour before bed
Take the time before going to sleep to reflect about how the day went. I initially make a mental list of everything that went wrong and try to find a “next time” solution. Then I list the things that went well and relive each detail with enjoyment. It took me a while to learn to do this and in the beginning I always wrote things down before transitioning to visualizing my list. I recommend you aim for ten good things that happened during the day. For example, here’s yesterdays list.
- A beautiful piano concerto on Pandora.
- Notice of a future visit by a dance friend
- New seminar offer
- Problem bill paid and resolved
- Great soup for lunch/ beautiful walk
- Fun Pilates class
- Fun group class on tango waltz
- Easy bus ride
- Lovely cuddle with cat
- Nice tango evening dances
2. Do some form of intentional mental relaxation
Traditional meditation is great, but it’s not for everyone. There are other ways to put yourself in a calm, receptive state, and the concept behind counting sheep is sound. Listening to soft, pleasant music, gentle stretching with concentration, drawing, knitting or crocheting and doing crossword puzzles are all activities that help to relax your mind. The goal is to let your mind “drift off.”
3. Get into bed and watch a movie
It should be a favorite movie, not too violent or intense and it should be something you love and have seen several times. The point is not to experience suspense, but like a beloved children’s book, it’s knowing the outcome that will relax you into sleep. This activity is also a sneaky way to practice your understanding of structure and will often inspire a dream that will help you in your writing. Movies I watch to relax include Moonstruck, Notting Hill and Love Actually.
4. Take a completely different tack: don’t sleep
If you’re not tired, don’t worry about getting your eight hours. Get up and work as hard as you can at your writing until you are tired. A few nights of this will result in your body getting a better sleep rhythm because you will feel more fulfilled. When I follow this method I often use one of my own script tips as a writing prompt.
Of course there are more tricks you can research to relax your mind and get a good night’s sleep, but I hope these will help in the meantime and inspire your writing.
Here’s you your successful and happy writing,
Professor Marilyn Horowitz
Copyright (c) 2015 by Marilyn Horowitz.
