My husband and I sleep upside down on Thursday nights. No, not like bats hanging from the ceiling like you may be envisaging, but simply with our heads at the other end of the bed; where our feet usually are.
We’ve done this for nearly a year, and we plan on doing it for the rest of our lives.
Naturally, the question we’re asked most when people witness our Thursday night shenanigans (like when I was sharing a room with a friend on a work trip, or Tim was in his bunk room at an outdoor camp) is “why!?”
Image via Unsplash
Changing perspective on life, coming up with new ideas, and making sure I am never in a rut, are just a few of the benefits I take away with me as I get out of bed every Friday morning.
Changing Perspective
When I sleep upside down, I see my bedroom differently. I stare at a painting I hardly ever have time to stare at, I notice cobwebs in corners I’ve never seen before, and I even experience a different sensation as I get in and out of bed with my opposite leg. Practicing a change of perspective in this very mundane way, means I’m better at changing my perspective in other situations.
If there’s a problem I’m struggling to solve, I step back and look at it with a fresh mindset.
In stressful situations, I seek an alternative attitude and quickly stop feeling stressed. During moments of negativity and despair, I search for a contrasting viewpoint and focus on the positives.
Of course, changing perspective isn’t always the solution, but practicing this change of perspective every week has strengthened my ability to look at things from different angles in all areas of my life.
Gaining new Ideas
I know I’m not the only one who has all their best ideas in the shower. New ideas come to us in the most unexpected moments, and for most, it’s doing mundane tasks rather than brainstorming at our desks. I swear I’m more creative on Fridays.
Sleeping upside down unlocks a part of my brain that isn’t often open; that’s when the ideas flood in. New ideas lead to success and ultimately; happiness. When I look at it this way, sleeping upside down on Thursday nights is very underrated.
Keeping out of a rut
Have you ever driven or walked to work in a daze, arrived at the office, and realised you remember nothing about how you got there? Life is easy to glide through, without thinking about what you’re doing or why. It’s easy to buy Colgate toothpaste because that’s what you were told to do as a kid, and it’s normal to drink coffee in the morning because everyone’s doing it.
Quality of life comes from making decisions because you want to, and you know why you’re making them.
Practicing this strange event of sleeping upside down, means I’m constantly reminded that I have the power to change my life and make it what I want it to be. It’s very hard to fall into a rut when you’re lying upside down, laughing with your husband, and begin analysing all your other habits.
My family thinks I’m crazy, my friends giggle, and you may think I’m a complete weirdo. Opinions aside, I’m certain sleeping upside down on Thursdays nights has endless benefits that make my personal and professional life flourish. Changing perspective, gaining new ideas, and escaping ‘life ruts’ are just a few of the bonuses that come from (literally) flipping my life upside down.
Try it
While I don’t expect everyone to sleep upside down once a week (though I highly recommend trying it once!), I encourage you to find your own weekly weird habit and watch as the benefits roll in. You don’t have to go on a mindfulness retreat every weekend, heck, you don’t even need to write in a reflection journal. Try going for a walk in a place you’ve never been before, brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand, showering in the dark, or eating while sitting on the floor. The world is your weird oyster.
