Decameron: Don't Just Take My Word For It (III/4)

Subject Line: 7-Step Detox for Radical Emotional Calm During Sleep

Hey Paul,

Here’s that 7-step program I told you about, with a couple extra notes from me. I think it could be really good for you and Clarice. 

-- Felix

 7-Step Detox for Radical Emotional Calm During Sleep

Step 1: Unlock the door to your house before bed

This might seem counterintuitive at first, but it’s important. If you want to feel calm at night, you need to feel at peace with the universe. This means placing radical trust in the world around you and having that trust rewarded.

Paul: You don’t have to worry about anyone breaking in. Since I live right across the street, I can keep an eye on things easily from my place. -- felix 

Step 2: Find a pair of headphones 

The thicker, the better. You want to feel the sedating, soothing pressure of heavy headphones on your ears.

Step 3: Instruct everyone else in your house not to disturb you

Tell, for instance, your wife to stay in the bedroom. You need to make absolutely sure that you’re not interrupted during the process. 

Paul: So you know, I’ve already talked to Clarice about this, and she’s totally on board with this. She really wants to help improve your sleep. -- felix 

Step 4: Find a room in your house that lets you look at the sky

Being able to look at the sky is a major component of this process! You must be in a room that looks at the sky in order to truly achieve the radical calm this process enables.

Paul: for you, I suggest the room on the side of your house. The one that’s as far from your bedroom as possible. -- felix 

Step 5: Headphones in, music on

You want to listen to something calming, but not too quiet. Ideally something with human chanting, at a medium to loud volume. This way, if, for instance, your wife makes a noise during the night, you can’t hear her. 

Paul: Let me know if you need recommendations. -- felix 

Step 6: Stay there all night 

Even if you don’t fall asleep immediately, keep those headphones in and keep staring at the sky. It’s crucial that you don’t get up and wander around the house in the middle of the process. Achieving sleep improvements like the ones offered by this program requires total commitment. 

Paul: I think staying until 7:30 am should be long enough…  but let’s say 8:00 to be safe. -- felix 

Step 7: Repeat every night 

Radical change doesn’t happen in a day. We recommend repeating this process for at least a month to truly see transformative change in your sleep. 

Paul: Clarice and I discussed it and we think 40 days is a good duration for a trial period. But who knows-- if this goes well, maybe you’ll want to keep improving your sleep indefinitely :)  -- felix 

Decameron is a newsletter recounting the 14th Century set of quarantine tales for 2020. Read the original story.

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