So, I got thinking about this weird thing lately – sleeping with my hands up over my head. You know, like arms stretched out on the pillow above you? I never paid much attention to how I slept until I started waking up like that pretty often a few months back.
At first, I just figured it was uncomfortable or maybe I was hot. Didn’t think much of it. Just kinda shifted around and went back to sleep or got up. But then it kept happening. Night after night, I’d wake up, arms up. It felt kinda… exposed? Like my chest and belly were totally open.
I mentioned it offhand to a friend, the one who’s into all sorts of mindful stuff, and she goes, “Oh yeah, that totally has a spiritual meaning!” I kinda rolled my eyes internally, you know? Sounded a bit out there. But she said it’s about surrender, openness, connecting to higher energy, letting go of control. That stuck with me a bit.
My Little Experiment
So, being the curious type, I decided to pay closer attention. Not like I could force myself to sleep that way – that seems impossible. But I started making a mental note each morning: did I wake up with hands above my head? And how did I feel that day?
Here’s what I jotted down over a few weeks:
- Woke up arms up: Felt surprisingly rested, even if I didn’t sleep longer.
- Woke up arms up: Had some really vivid, kinda strange dreams. Not bad, just… intense.
- Woke up arms up: Noticed I felt less guarded during the day. More willing to just go with the flow.
- Days I woke up curled in a ball: Often felt more stressed or mentally cluttered.
Now, I’m not saying this is some scientific proof or anything. It’s just my own little record, my personal experience. But I couldn’t ignore the pattern that seemed to be showing up for me.
It started making sense in a way. When you’re scared or defensive, you curl up, right? Protect your vital organs. Sleeping with your arms thrown wide open above your head is the total opposite of that. It’s like physically embodying vulnerability and trust. You’re literally opening your heart space, even in sleep.
What I Think Now
I don’t know if it’s about ‘connecting to higher energy’ specifically, because who really knows what that feels like? But for me, it definitely feels linked to a state of surrender. Like my body is saying, “Okay, I’m letting go. I trust.” It usually happens more when I’m feeling generally okay with life, less when I’m wound up tight about something.
So, yeah. Sleeping with hands above your head. Maybe it’s just a comfy position for some folks. But for me, after paying attention, it feels like a little physical sign from my subconscious about being open and trusting the universe, or whatever you want to call it. It’s just another one of those small, everyday things that can hold a bit more meaning if you stop and notice.
