I have a confession to make: I don't get enough sleep.
In fact, on an average night, I probably get 4-6 hours of sleep before I have to wake up and do stuff for another 18-20 hours before sleeping a bit again.
I want to start setting healthy goals for myself again, and this seems like a great place to start!
According to my extensive internet research, the benefits of getting 7-9 hours of sleep every night include:
1) better heart health
2) (possible) cancer prevention
3) reduced stress
4) reduced inflammation
5) improved memory
6) weight loss
7) improves cognitive function and mood!!!
8) Obviously, you will be less tired all the freakin' time.
...and many more, I'm sure.
Reduced stress, mood improvement, and the ability to be less tired....? All of these things are great reasons for people to get the proper amount of sleep.
My excuses for not sleeping enough:
1) Schoolwork
2) Exercise
3) When else am I going to catch up on my TV shows and extracurricular reading if not between 11pm and 2am?
4) Depression/moodiness keeping me up
#1 and #2, I can most certainly do before 10pm. #3... well, I may have to stop watching so much TV and schedule my reading time also by a reasonable hour. Perhaps I can even become one of those people who is in bed by 10, reading a couple of chapters of a good book before yawning and falling sound asleep by 11. #4? Well, assuming that I can get myself into a steady pattern of sleep, those things will improve.
I'm going to start this personal challenge tonight, by being in bed by midnight. Planned wake up call: 7am. For me, this would be an improvment!
Hopefully soon my body will get used to going to bed and waking up earlier, and I will begin to feel the benefits.
For now, I will try to get plenty of things accomplished BEFORE the evening, instead of dawdling and procrastinating all afternoon, planning to get things done "later".
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| Looks heavenly, doesn't it? |
3 comments:
I've quit turning on the TV or computer between 5 and 9pm every night. Then, 9:30 is my bedtime. It was hard the first couple days, but I'm getting a lot more sleep now, and I have time for my personal hobbies. Consider putting several hours of no-electronic time in your routine!
I need to do the same thing. I have worst time shutting off my brain at night and sleep 5-6 hours most weeknights. I think I also need to take this challenge. Good luck!
I found that as I lost weight I slept much better. I used to only sleep a few hours a night. Unfortunately lately I havent been sleeping as well. My mind just doesn't turn off some nights. Just found your blog and am your newest follower
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