Return of the Red-Eye: Practical Ways to Get More Sleep
June 15, 2009 No CommentsWhen it comes to mastering your life and reaching your goals, it’s next to impossible when you are finding yourself tired, groggy, and functioning on auto-pilot mode.
I wish I was more like my microwave. I have this really cool “popcorn” setting on my microwave where it automatically turns off when the intervals between pops slow down.
Unfortunately, that’s not how our bodies usually work. As professionals, we are constantly on the go, and many times we ignore the signs that our bodies are saying, “Work mode is over, and I’m shutting down!”
Although it’s been said, “Nuttin says well rested like a three-month coma,” I think you would agree that’s not the best method of recharging our batteries.
Here are some more preferred ways of getting that much needed rest.
Stress management. Do you ever have those nights where you just can’t stop thinking about all the things you need to get done, people to call, and e-mails to respond to? The more stressed your life becomes, the more challenging it is to turn your brain off at night. Learn some stress management techniques and implement them before you go to bed.
Exercise. You can experience deeper sleep when you exercise daily. Just avoid exercising right before you go to bed; it will probably keep you up.
Naps are for cats. Taking a nap, especially after noon or in the evening, will only make it more difficult for you to sleep at night. Some suggest taking a fifteen to twenty-minute power nap. You can give that a try and see if it affects your ability to sleep that night.
Procrastination equals sleep cessation. Repeatedly putting things off can make your sleep procrastinate, too. Start scheduling those things that you keep avoiding, even if it’s just one or two things per day or week. The rewards will put you to sleep!
Diet No No’s: Eating a big meal, drinking caffeine, or even using alcohol and tobacco can keep you up, or at least not allow you to have deep, restful sleep. It’s a good idea to avoid eating anything for at least two hours before going to bed and to avoid caffeine after 2 or 3 p.m.
Early to bed, early to rise…! You know the saying. There really is something to it, though. Some studies have shown that an hour of sleep before midnight is worth two to three hours after midnight. Try going to bed about an hour before your usual bedtime for at least ten days and keep a journal of how you feel compared to the day before.
Proper use of the bed. Beds are made for sleeping and, as Seinfeld puts it, “That.” Do your reading, studying, watching TV, and eating somewhere else. After all, “He who eat cookie in bed have crumby night.”
Don’t just lay there! If you’re lying in bed and just can’t get to sleep, don’t stay in bed, especially if it’s been a half hour or more. Get up and do something for a little while and then try again.
Setting is everything. Imagine…You’ve just taken a warm bath or shower, the room is dark, the temperature is just right, your feet aren’t cold, and there’s soft music playing in the background. Are you getting sleepy? Save it for tonight!
Getting good sleep is a huge step to mastering your life, and you’ll eventually begin to see some of those things you only dreamed of start to take place in real life, so turn the lights off and dream on!
Try at least one of these suggestions for one week and let us know what your experience was like. Post your comments below.
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