Further Reading: 10 Mindfulness Exercises for SleepUnderstanding the root cause of why we struggle to sleep is an individual process, but there are numerous contributors that affect so many of us. We can consider these as a first step towards healing our sleep cycle. From the food and drink we consume, to changing life circumstances, to the overall state of mind we find ourselves in on a daily basis. We can compassionately look towards various aspects of our lives to assess what is helping and what is potentially hurting our ability to rest deeply.
Working with a Nightmare
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Sean FargoPublished February 6, 2016 · Updated March 28, 2024 · 1 min read
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Working with a Nightmare
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A mindful companion to this worksheet
A mindful approach to working with a nightmare
“Working with a Nightmare” is an invitation to slow down and meet your experience with curiosity, honesty, and kindness — three qualities that quietly transform everything they touch.
How mindfulness can help
Mindfulness offers a steady inner ground from which to engage any topic. Instead of being swept along by reaction, we learn to notice what is here — sensations, thoughts, feelings — and respond from a place of presence rather than pressure.
Gentle steps to try
- Begin with the breath. Take three slow breaths before opening the worksheet. Let your body remember it is here.
- Read with curiosity. Move through each prompt slowly. Notice which questions soften you, and which ones tighten you.
- Write what is true now. There are no right answers — only honest ones. The truth at this moment is what the worksheet is asking for.
- Close with one breath. When you finish, pause. Place a hand on your heart and acknowledge yourself for showing up.
Insight does not arrive on a schedule. Trust the practice of returning, the courage of honesty, and the slow unfolding of your own becoming.
