Oh, for the love. Get your mind out of the gutter, people. I said I was going to be more straightforward, but that’s just too far. A swing! I mean, literally a swing! :o)

What if I told you that a good night of sleep could be found at your local playground? I know, I know; it sounds awfully strange, but just hang in there for a sec. I’ll tell you the story.

Once upon a time, there were three sad and tired people desperately in need of a nap. These folks, a momma and her two grown children (along with daddy bear and two baby bears) stopped one lovely summer’s day to play at the park. It wasn’t long and the whole family found themselves swinging on the swings together. Daddy bear’s tummy put an end to his fun so he played with baby bears. The rest of us pretended we were all in elementary school again and laughed and played and swang (swing, swang, swung [?]) for at least an hour in the hot, hot sun. I remember saying, “Swing, you guys! It’s supposed to be really good for your brain!”

Much later that day, the reports were straggling in. You see, prior to this July day, these three people were non-nappers. I could never nap because my legs would jump (anemia that has since been resolved). My son had some insomnia issues. My daughter just avoided naps because she woke up too grumpy (she gave me permission to say that). After swinging, I fell asleep the minute we got home FACE DOWN on the couch — me, the girl who had only certain specific positions in which I can sleep without pain. My daughter fell asleep with her girls and took a loooong afternoon nap — the first she can remember taking in a YEAR!! My son, well, he was mowing the lawn and literally stopped the mower, crossed his arms and fell asleep on the machine for a long nap!!! And then, that night, we all got the best night of sleep of maybe our whole lives.

What the heck?

Turns out, our bodies have what’s called a vestibular system that need sensory input and something about the large motion of swinging on a swing helps balance things out! Here’s one article I just quickly found to show you that I’m not the only one thinking this way! When this happened this summer, you can bet I became an interwebs detective and learned all I could. Since then, I’ve told a couple friends and they have been very intrigued. One struggled with that kind of motion, but found she could gradually work her way up using a hammock. The affect was so huge for us that my husband has vowed to build us a GIANT swing and I plan to hold him to it this next Spring! Until then, we may have to install a yoga swing in my house to ensure great nights of sleep!

The video below was taken one lovely summer day when I had just finished speaking at a women’s event and needed a stress release. I found myself at the park all by myself swinging away and decided then and there to make a video to tell you all someday when the time was right. So, if you have a swing nearby that is suitable for lady hips, go sit there and smile your way to sleep time and come back by to thank me, okay?

What are your best tricks for falling asleep? Anyone struggle with insomnia? We’e tried all the oils and all the concoctions, but I’d love to hear yours! Let’s talk about it! Drop me a comment below! :o)