I’ve noticed that I’ve been dragging…I mean really dragging. I have good intentions of going to sleep at a time that allows me to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Yet I never do. Since I have committed to being more aware of my actions and truthful with myself, I realized I’m actually only getting 4 to 5 hours of sleep on weekdays and 6 to 8 hours of sleep on the weekend.
I’ve identified that I need to start my night routine earlier. If I start when I want to be in bed, there’s no way I will get enough sleep. And then when morning comes, I’m still weary.
I intellectually know that when I get enough sleep, I feel better. I have more energy. My mood is better. And most importantly, I see more clearly and I am able to problem-solve better.
It made me think of the saying “Sleep is overrated.” Was that true? I decided to do a little research. I tried to be objective in my research and to compare my findings with my own experiences.
Here’s what I learned:
Sleep affects your mental abilities
Lack of sleep can cause increased accidents and errors. It’s been linked to slower response and impaired attention. When I do not have enough sleep, it takes me longer to process information. I have a harder time focusing and I make a lot of mistakes.
Sleep = memory consolidation
Memory consolidation is when recent experiences are transformed into long term memory. Ahhh, that explains why I’ve been told that a sleep cycle will enhance the healing work I do. I’ve been using a lot of ThetaHealingⓇ work recently. ThetaHealingⓇ is a form of energy psychology in which energy healing is used to teach my subconscious a new experience. A sleep cycle will consolidate that new experience into long term memory. This allows me to feel better than the way I felt before, view my world differently, and create new habits rather than repeat old self-sabotaging habits.
Sleep affects your mood
People who are sleep-deprived respond to low stressors as if they are high stressors. They lose the ability to let the small stuff go. When I don’t get enough sleep, everything feels catastrophic. I then become irritable, emotional, and irrational.
Sleep affects your appetite
A lack of sleep can cause a desire for high-calorie foods which usually translates to processed food, sugar and carbohydrates rather than healthier choices like fruits and vegetables. I notice that when I don’t get enough sleep and I have a high level of stress, I lose my appetite. However, whatever appetite I do have is for unhealthy junk food and I get stuck in a loop of not feeling well because of lack of sleep and not feeling well because of what I am eating.
It can take a long time to catch up on sleep
With my newly focused awareness and newfound knowledge, I decided to come up with a plan:
- I’m going to put on my calendar the time I need to be asleep in order to get 7 to 8 hours sleep each night.
- I’m also going to give myself an hour for my night practices and put those in the calendar as well.
- I will put down my phone at that time. Night practices will include a calming meditation or breathing practice.
- I’ve shared this plan with someone I trust to help me be accountable.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
What practices have you implemented that help you with sleep?
Alyssa Phillips 