Welcome back to the CHAMP and Uniformed Services University PCS survival guide podcast. In episode 2 of this 3-episode series, we talk about “staying present” and the importance of sleep while you’re in the process of moving. Be sure to check out episode 1 to hear about pre-PCS goal setting and flexibility, and stay tuned for episode 3, where we discuss leveraging social support and developing new routines during the post-PCS transition.
Episode 2: Mindfulness and sleep when you’re on the move
The movers came and you’re on the road. On top of the stress of whether your most prized possessions will make it to your new home intact, you’re probably now starting to get those “first day of school” jitters. Add being in close quarters with your family or road-trip partner for long drives along the way, and you’ve made for a stressful trip that can put a strain on you and your relationships. In episode 2, we discuss how practicing mindfulness can help manage that stress, and how good sleep hygiene ties into it all.
Mindfulness is a mental state in which you focus on and live in the present moment, while you accept your emotions, thoughts, and sensations calmly and without judgment. Mindfulness skills can be applied to just about every aspect of your daily life, from interactions with your family to making decisions about what you’re going to eat or drink.
Just as mindfulness can be applied to all aspects of your life, so can getting enough sleep. At the most basic level, not getting enough sleep can make you grumpy and have a shorter temper with your road-trip partners. On the other end of the spectrum, it can impair your ability to make decisions and even your ability to drive safely.
Before you get on the road, listen to this episode to really dig in to how you can practice mindfulness to stay present and get enough sleep during your PCS.
