10 Ways to Prepare for Sleep in Your Heart and Mind 

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As I lie down each night, hoping to fall asleep with ease, I often find myself wrestling with the challenges of truly letting go. After a day filled with the demands of work and the hustle of daily life, the transition to a peaceful state of mind feels like a distant dream. Yet I am reminded of the importance of preparing myself for the sacred journey of sleep.

To achieve restful, divine sleep, that preparation includes not just our bodies, but our hearts and minds. It goes beyond mere bedtime rituals; it is a deep-seated practice of nurturing our spiritual and mental well-being. By embracing this mindful approach, we create a sanctuary within ourselves, inviting moments of stillness, peace, and inner renewal. This moment becomes an opportunity to allow for nights filled with divine dreams and the serenity of spiritual connection.

The Biblical Backdrop of Sleep

Sleep is a common theme in the Bible. It marks important moments—from Adam’s first rest in the Garden of Eden after naming the animals to the prophetic dreams of Joseph that ultimately saved his family. Even Jesus’ earthly father learned in dreams about Jesus’ incarnation, and then the little family’s need to flee to Egypt. Sleep is a divine gift from God, a respite for our bodies but also a way for God to communicate His love and will to us. 

This biblical perspective on sleep underlines its significance as a time of connection with the divine. Whether it is through dreams, visions, or simply the stillness of His presence, God communes with us as we sleep. 

Creating a Relaxing Bedtime Environment  

There are several ways you can prepare your sleep space as a sanctuary. 

• Bedroom Ambiance Matters: The light of the outside world varies according to the time of day, and so should the illumination of your bedroom. Soft lighting is important, signaling your body to start the sleep process. 
• Comfort is Key: Invest in high-quality, comfortable bedding, be it a cozy duvet or a plush mattress pad. 
• Declutter Your Mind: A serene bedroom begins with an orderly, clutter-free environment. As you declutter your space, allow your mind to follow in releasing the day’s worries. 

Mindful Pre-bedtime Practices 

Preparing for sleep can be more than a physical activity; it can be a spiritual practice. This is the time to reconnect with God, to draw your waking hours to a close with gratitude.  

• Meditative Moments: Spend a few moments in quiet contemplation, reflecting on the day’s blessings and lessons. 
• Digital Separation: Crossing this threshold unburdens your mind. Turn off your devices and immerse yourself in the silence that comes before serene sleep. 
• Breath of Life: In the stillness, breathe deeply and intentionally. Each breath becomes a prayer, a reassurance of God’s presence, enfolding you in His peace. 

Healthy Habits to Prepare for Sleep 

• Scheduling Sleep: Our body’s desire for sleep has a rhythm. Abide by a consistent sleep schedule, treating this routine with your body as a sacred commitment. 
• Caffeine Conundrum: Your morning may be filled with the pleasing aroma of coffee, but the evening is not the time for it if you’re hoping for healthy sleep. Avoid caffeine a few hours before bed to ensure uninterrupted rest. 
• The Last Supper: Be mindful of not eating heavy meals close to bedtime. 
• Practice Bedtime Prayers: If your mind is still racing as you prepare for sleep, reach out to God with your worries. Hand them over to Him for the night.

By fine-tuning your evenings with mindful practices, you prepare your sleep to revolve around themes of peace, assurance, and connection. 

Sleep, when intertwined with preparation and prayer, is not just a biological need but a spiritual journey. It’s a prelude to waking up to life refreshed, renewed, and in communion with God. Incorporate these practices into your sleep and you will experience your dreams transforming from windows into your unconscious to divine stories. 

Biblical reflection and meditation plays a role in how you sleep. Listen to a short sample of this sleep story from Abide about what pleasant sleep can mean to you.

For more help to stress less and sleep better with more content like that, download the Abide app, where our 400+ Bible-based sleep stories all exist to help you experience the peace of Christ and get better rest. Use this link for 25% off a premium subscription, giving you access to all our sleep stories plus much more. 

Daisy lives in New Jersey and loves to spend time outdoors with her Goldendoodle. She has experience in creating, producing, and optimizing web content for Guideposts, as well as assisting its various teams in launching new platforms and channels.