Reclaim Your Rest, Reclaim Your Life

Discover the transformative power of sleep and break free from the hustle culture myth. Prioritize rest to enhance your well-being and emotional stability.

Simon Bostock, Human Givens therapist and coach, offering neuroscience-based therapy and coaching for professionals

The Lie We’ve Been Sold

We’ve Been Sold a Lie

That hustle culture is the way. That you can sleep when you’re dead. That burnout is a badge of honour.

But if you’re running on empty, no morning routine, motivational reel, or mindset trick will save you.

Sleep is your system reset. It’s how you regulate emotions, handle stress, and show up as your best self.

If you’re skipping rest, you’re silently sabotaging everything you’re working for.

The Silent Superpower

When you sleep well, your brain fires better. Your reactions slow down, in the best way. You lead with more calm and less chaos.

Sleep is more than rest. It’s recovery, repair and regulation. And it’s all governed by rhythms inside your body.

Let’s talk about the real power player: light.

Light: The Secret Lever You’re Ignoring

Inside your brain, a master clock controls every hormone and organ. And it runs on light.

When morning light hits your eyes, it triggers cortisol (the good kind) and helps you wake up.

12–14 hours later, melatonin kicks in to wind you down.

But modern life interrupts that rhythm with screens, artificial light, and late-night scrolling.

Fix it:

➔ Get outside for 10–20 minutes of sunlight between dawn and 9:30am

➔ Get another 5–10 minutes around sunset

➔ Use lamps or candles after 8 pm,  no bright overheads

➔ Avoid unfiltered screens between 11pm and 4am

This isn’t fluff. It’s biology.

Still Struggling? It’s Not Just in Your Mind

Many people can’t sleep because they’re stuck in nervous system overdrive.

Your body is still in “doing” mode,  wired, alert, maybe even anxious.

You need to train your system to relax.

What helps:

➔ Yoga Nidra or NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest)

➔ 7/11 breathing (inhale 7, exhale 11)

➔ Slow music, white noise, or guided meditations

➔ Reading fiction or journaling (emails don’t count)

You don’t need all of them. Just one that helps you shift from doing to being.

Understanding Light's Role in Sleep

Your Sleep Isn’t Random — It’s Rhythmic

Your Sleep Has a Rhythm

Sleep happens in 90-minute cycles.

The first half: deep, restorative, physical healing.

The second half: REM, dreaming, emotional processing.

That’s why timing matters more than lie-ins.

You don’t need 10 hours. You need the right kind of 7–8 hours, with light and wind-down cues that align your internal clock.

Tip:

If you wake in the night, don’t panic. Avoid bright light, do some slow breathing, and remember: your body leads, your brain follows.

By incorporating these practices, you can train your body to shift from a constant state of ‘doing’ to a more restful ‘being’ mode, paving the way for more restorative sleep.

The Rhythm of Sleep

Embracing the Cyclical Nature of Sleep

Final Thought: Respect Your Rest

Body Text:

Sleep is not weakness. It’s your performance edge.

No app or supplement can replace it. No mindset can override a dysregulated body.

If you want to grow, build resilience, or simply feel less broken, start with your sleep.

Fix your light. Honour your rhythm. Guard your rest.

Because the quality of your sleep will shape the quality of your life.

The Power of Sleep

Respect Your Rest for Peak Performance

If you’d like to work with Simon, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Whether you’re looking for strategic support, coaching, or more profound insight into performance and mindset, explore how Simon can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Becky Stone, neurodivergent-friendly therapist and coach, offering free 30-minute consultations online

Simon Bostock