← Sleep Magic: Sleep Hypnosis & Meditation for Sleep Podcast
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- [00:12]
A
Someone reached out to me recently asking for an episode about loneliness, and I think that's a great idea. First of all, I think there are two sources of loneliness. First, sometimes we feel apart from other people. We feel distant, disconnected. And although I hate to say it, the world seems to be moving us in this direction. Technology has most of us attached to our phones, our entire worlds curated by individualized algorithms. So we're behaving in less collective ways, experiencing life less as a we and more as an I. And that can feel lonely. But before I sound like too much of a bummer, I do believe that we will fight our way through this and rediscover our collective instincts, perhaps in creative and new ways. We are deeply wired to need one another, and our current infatuation with relatively new technology is, I believe, a transition as opposed to an endpoint. Human beings have been through a lot, and we tend to evolve through things. And the irony here is that everyone is feeling a version of this societal loneliness. So we are actually and paradoxically altogether in this disconnection, which makes it feel slightly less bad. Second, there's the loneliness we feel when we are disconnected from ourselves. When I ignore my inner being or get lazy about meditating, I start to get caught up in this illusion that I'm alone, flung out into the hinterlands of the universe, untethered. You know, this kind of loneliness, it's the worst. I can be surrounded by people and still feel this horrible loneliness. And it's at times like these that I need to come back to myself, to my inner world, and fill it up again. And although this connection to oneself can feel tenuous at times, it is always there to be rediscovered. If you are lying there right now in your human body, you are connected to yourself in profound and important ways. Your mind may be racing or throwing up obstacles, but when you relax and get that racing mind out of the way, the connection takes place. And we are going to work on this inner connection tonight. But before we do, just one more thing. I have to say. I can't do much about society's changes, but I will say, if you're feeling disconnected from the world, try putting down your phone. That might sound counterintuitive, but I encourage you to try it. Do your best to take a little hiatus, even a short one, from watching other people's lives on social media and sink into your own life. Set a timer for 10 minutes and write down with a pen and paper everything you like about your life. Remember, your life is your movie, experienced through your body. And consciousness. And it always will be. And in order to feel really good or to be truly empowered, we must sink into that truth and watch our own private, amazing movies. And as individuals, we can only do that for ourselves. And in this respect, we are all alone. And yet we are all exactly the same in this existential aloneness. Another paradox, huh? Second, reach out to a real person. But when you reach out, make it a phone call. I know, I know. A phone call. Horrors. What is this, 1975? But I mean it. Studies show that when we hear the voices of friends and loved ones, we secrete oxytocin, the bonding hormone that really makes us feel good and connected to others. But when we text, we don't secrete oxytocin. It's just not there. So dare to pick up that phone and hear a human voice. You'll feel better. And yes, as we make our way through these big technological changes, we may need to build back our real social networks one experience at a time. How about a phone free dinner party once a month, or a game night? Or even playing games over the Internet. But while talking to your friend who you're playing with over the phone, to hear their voice as you play, our bodies need contact, touch, togetherness, and to hear one another's voices. We all want that, so let's create it. Before we get started, let's hear a quick word from our sponsors who make this free content possible. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, Monetary magicians. These are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations.
- [06:35]
B
Hey Sleep Magic listeners. If you've been following Jessica from her days as the co host of sleepwave, you may remember me. Hi, I'm Carissa and I'm here to invite you to join me for the brand new series of sleepwave, a podcast designed for anyone who struggles with sleep. Whether it's taking forever to drift off or waking up in the middle of the night. Every Monday, I share sleep meditations and relaxing bedtime stories that not only help you fall asleep quickly, but also guide you through those thoughts that keep you up at night. Whether it's stress, anxiety, or just a restless mind, we tackle it together so you can get the rest you deserve. I know what it's like to struggle with sleep. I have a mind that loves to keep me awake. And that's exactly why I'M so passionate about the meditations and stories we explore on sleepwave. They've made a difference in my life, and I'm confident they'll do the same for you. So if you're ready for better, sweeter sleep, join me on sleepwave. You can find me wherever you get your podcasts. Just search sleepwave.