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Christine Hansen is a holistic sleep coach and strategist and founder of Sleep Like a Boss. Today, Christine will share why successful sleep is vital to a successful career or business.
Successes at a glance:
Founder of Sleep Like a Boss.
Host of the hit podcast series, Sleep Like a Boss.
Author of the best-selling, Sleep Like a Boss (Paperback | Kindle).
Setback failure or time when things fell apart:
For someone who has taken a very non-traditional entrepreneurial route, Christine started out w/ a fairly traditional career path. Christine studied English in the UK and returned to her home country of Luxemburg to become an English teacher. As Christine shares, it was the common and expected formula of go to school, get a degree, then get a stable, respectable job. Christine stayed the course as a teacher for 9 years until she had a “change of heart.” At 31, Christine wasn’t happy. She knew this bc the only thought she had in the mornings was that she was doing this for a paycheck: a guaranteed formula for slow, sluggish mornings and long days. Then, all of a sudden, Christine lost her cousin; taken at the very young age of 23 by a heart attack. This was a wake-up call for Christine. Her cousin had everything going for him w/ so much potential and was taken in the prime of his life. By contrast, Christine was alive but miserable.
It’s also important to note that even though Christine is living her purpose, being an entrepreneur means getting used to dealing w/ failures and setbacks. Christine doesn’t hesitate to reply that she faces these “all the time.” Christine has been in the digital and online space for 2 years and in that time she has launched and pulled 3 online courses. She put in the time, leg work and capital to build these courses, only to have them not succeed for various reasons. However, Christine doesn’t lament this part of the journey but instead embraces it as part and parcel of the “entrepreneurial spirit.” Listening to Christine, there is a definite resiliency and confidence in her voice as she is able to try something and move on if it doesn’t work out. Christine focused on her mindset and developed a can do, move on attitude that has carried her thru the setbacks and keeps her moving forward.
The “aha” moment that sparked a pivot:
Christine realized that she owed it to herself, her daughter, and her cousin to pursue her happiness. At the time, Christine would have labeled this as “selfish.” As we speak on today’s interview, she’s crossing out that last word and replacing it w/ self-loving. This wasn’t an easy journey and as Christine candidly reveals, it took a long time to let go of that guilt-ridden label.
So what was Christine’s passion and how did she discover it? It’s funny how life’s normal and extraordinary events can open doors. Christine had her first daughter now, with a newborn, she realized that her passion was sleep! Despite the age-old notion that sleep is the first thing to go w/ parenthood, Christine decided that she was not ready to become a “sleep-deprived parent.” However, Christine’s passion for sleep wasn’t simply relegated for a desire to have more of it. She took a deep dive, studying the science and foundations of sleep. This led to a pivot into becoming a certified pediatric sleep consultant and then, due to high demand, she pivoted again to become a holistic sleep strategist and consultant for adults. Not surprisingly, learning the world of holistic sleep strategy meant touching into many disciplines, including sleep hygiene, emotional health, diet, vitamin deficiency, biochemistry, and more.
Christine started w/ a need which had underlying it, a passion and a desire: sleep. She fed that desire thru knowledge, building upon it like a skyscraper. This led to consulting which opened the door for becoming a strategist around a killer brand and a platform, Sleep Like a Boss. This niche has allowed Christine to develop courses, a best-selling book, and produce a hit podcast.
As noted, Christine grew her business but hit some roadblocks along the way. She had 3 online courses that didn’t pan out and it seemed that she would try something and it wouldn’t quite gel. So what was the next pivot? Christine had to work on her mindset. Christine started looking into theories of abundance but it didn’t really resonate until she came across Lynn Grabhorn’s book, Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting (Paperback | Kindle). The book covered abundance in terms of positive vibrations. But what really grabbed Christine was listening to Lynn narrate it, then in her 70s. Christine shares that there was a spunky attitude in Grabhorn’s voice that convinced her that you are allowed to be happy. This simple yet powerful revelation has enabled Christine to just be, go, and do. That’s how Christine has developed the resiliency and the heart of an entrepreneur that keeps her moving forward.
Knowledge bursts for getting better sleep:
What is holistic sleep strategy and how can it benefit you?
Start w/ sleep hygiene: look at reducing emotional stress thru meditation and mindfulness throughout the day.
For chronic sleep issues, it is likely symptomatic of a long-standing problem. Christine shares that one area that has come to emergence is the link between healthy sleep and gut health. Gut health is impacted by everything from diet to ongoing stress in your life. This can lead to bacteria and pathogens that can manifest itself in chronic fatigue and ongoing sleep issues. Or as Christine shares, “those little buggers [that] wake up at 2 or 3 am!”
Learn more about holistic sleep strategy at Sleep Like a Boss.
Practice or tip to get a better night’s sleep:
First, don’t take it too seriously! If you’re stressing yourself out about getting to sleep, you will not be able to fall asleep.
Don’t stay in a stressful setting. If your bed or room has become a place that’s associated w/ stress, it may be time to change the environment. Christine reveals a big misconception about sleep: many assume that it’s simply about lying down and closing your eyes. However, if the place where you sleep is associated w/ stress, then it’s time to examine and reevaluate it.
Remember, respect your sleep and what your body is telling you. You will know when you’re ready for sleep as the signs are obvious or as Christine says it will simply “tap you on the shoulder.”
Understand that sleep is not simply a routine we engage in bc we’re tired. It is a healing process, a rejuvenation of the mind and body that fuels creativity, intellectual curiosity, as well as physical and emotional health.
Favorite app / website / resource or productivity hack:
The F.lux Extension for Google Chrome:
Removes blue tones from your screen to prevent it from interrupting your melatonin: an important hormone for healthy sleep.
The Meet Edgar Extension for Google Chrome:
Great for batch scheduling social media posts quickly and efficiently.
Resource or cultural experience that inspired Christine to move forward:
Lynn Grabhorn’s book, Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting (Paperback | Kindle).
How Christine recharges when facing a roadblock or challenge:
She takes a nap! Christine prioritizes her sleep and makes arrangements to ensure she can fulfill her sleep needs.
Christine will also take a break to indulge in mindless TV shows or Netflix.
For Moving Forward listeners in jobs where naps aren’t an option, Christine suggests a quick meditation practice called iRest which was first developed to help soldiers w/ PTSD.
Support the Podcast:
The Corporate Cliches Adult Coloring Book: makes the perfect stocking stuffer or white elephant gift.
Try out Audible (affiliate link).
Try out Amazon Prime (affiliate link).
Advice to past self while going thru a difficult time:
Don’t be afraid of something going wrong when something is going right. Get out of the mindset that a positive will be met w/ a negative. Instead, understand and embrace that “you are completely deserving of everything you have.”
Parting wisdom (in a few words):
“Sleep yourself to the top!” (quoting Arianna Huffington).
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