I’ve recently subscribed to the Calm app that provides a variety of tools to help with meditation, focus, and sleep. One of their tools is Sleep Stories, the adult version of having someone read you a bedtime story like when you were a kid.
I will admit to being quite skeptical that this component would have any value but find myself in la-la land before the ending (or middle) most nights. Then I wake up to a notification: “How did you like the end of the story? We hope you never find out!” — meaning that it accomplished its goal of lulling me to sleep. It’s a subtle reminder that the app is actually working.
Sleep Stories have caused me to think about other tricks and tactics that we use with children that may still have merit with adults. A set bedtime. Countdown calendars that can temper anticipation with patience. Gold stars on a chart for a streak of accomplishments. Eating vegetables before dessert. Playtime outside. Kissing boo-boos (whether they be real or emotional ones).
The next time you’re faced with a dilemma, think back to how a similar situation may have been addressed when you were young and consider trying an adult adaptation of the same technique. You may find that there is nothing childish about its effectiveness.
