Working with Dr. Jill McGarry
#5
#5
Staying present with the breath each night
Staying present with the breath each night
Staying present with the breath each night
How the breath can help you stay anchored in the present moment when difficulties arise.
ACT
Post Video Reflection
Post Video Reflection
Notice
When alarm or panic appears, what happens naturally to your breathing? Can you start to just notice the temperature and movement of it.
When alarm or panic appears, what happens naturally to your breathing? Can you start to just notice the temperature and movement of it.
Try
Try
Complete this plan: “If I feel an urgent need to fix my sleep, I will pause before deciding whether anything needs doing.”
Complete this plan: “If I feel an urgent need to fix my sleep, I will pause before deciding whether anything needs doing.”
Live
Live
After that pause, what would a less pressured response look like for you?
After that pause, what would a less pressured response look like for you?
I've answered these (e.g. in my notebook)
Session Recap
01
Breathing is not a way to force sleep
The purpose of focusing on the breath is to create a little space when the body senses threat, e.g. not sleeping. Here breathing may become faster, shallower or less comfortable, which is an automatic protective response rather than evidence that something is going wrong.
01
Breathing is not a way to force sleep
The purpose of focusing on the breath is to create a little space when the body senses threat, e.g. not sleeping. Here breathing may become faster, shallower or less comfortable, which is an automatic protective response rather than evidence that something is going wrong.
02
Follow your breath, not someone else’s rhythm
There is no single correct breathing speed that everyone must copy. A useful rhythm is one that feels smooth, sustainable and natural for your own body.
02
Follow your breath, not someone else’s rhythm
There is no single correct breathing speed that everyone must copy. A useful rhythm is one that feels smooth, sustainable and natural for your own body.
03
Rest still has value when sleep has not arrived
Breathing gently while lying still gives the body a restful period without active struggle. The practice can therefore be worthwhile even when it does not immediately lead to sleep.
03
Rest still has value when sleep has not arrived
Breathing gently while lying still gives the body a restful period without active struggle. The practice can therefore be worthwhile even when it does not immediately lead to sleep.
Next Session
What "resting" at night means
What "resting" at night means
Giving yourself permission to rest and letting go of the need to make sleep happen.
Giving yourself permission to rest and letting go of the need to make sleep happen.
An ACT & CFT based approach helping you to improve your relationship with sleep.
Sluzzle offers educational help for everyday sleep challenges and isn’t designed for medical sleep disorders.
©2026 Sluzzle - All rights reserved. Address: 3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE
An ACT & CFT based approach helping you to improve your relationship with sleep.
Sluzzle offers educational help for everyday sleep challenges and isn’t designed for medical sleep disorders.
©2026 Sluzzle - All rights reserved. Address: 3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE
An ACT & CFT based approach helping you to improve your relationship with sleep.
Sluzzle offers educational help for everyday sleep challenges and isn’t designed for medical sleep disorders.
©2026 Sluzzle - All rights reserved. Address: 3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE