A very natural requirement
Around a week ago after a busier-than-usual month, I noticed I was becoming a little short tempered. I had less concentration, was feeling sluggish (when I woke up), I found it hard to think straight or concentrate for any length of time and so on. I proceeded to look back over what seemed like an average few weeks for me and noticed a subtle pattern that had crept its way into my life, or rather the dark side of my life. Each night, on a regular basis, I was barely getting 7 hours sleep, usually less. Now you might think “hey, that’s not so bad, I can survive on that” but over time, repeatedly depriving myself of my natural requirement began to take it’s toll. Lack of enough sleep and quality rest was slowly but surely chiselling away at my natural defenses and ability to function properly. I was mildly zombie-fied (if that’s a word)
So, I made decision and I implemented a change. I knew for a fact that personally I couldn’t get off to bed at 10.30pm each night, as I enjoy some evening before the next day, to read, watch a film, socialise etc. I knew I didn’t want to alter my life style to something as drastic as this anyway. It had got to be realistic, knowing full well that if it felt imposed whether by myself or somebody else, it wouldn’t last (typical Aquarian spirit).
What I have done is hit the hay at 11.30 instead of my usual 12.30/1.00 and, within two days I noticed a difference. In just 5 days of adding an hours extra sleep to my nocturnal slumber I feel vastly different. I feel sharper, have a much higher tollarence to everyday challenges, am able to concentrate and connect to my clients, friends and colleagues on a deeper, more focussed level. I feel a distinct increase in my optimism (especially noticible as it’s plunging into the darker half of Autumn here in the UK at the moment). Amazing stuff really and so, so simple.
I think it proved to me that my body (when I slowed down enough to listen to it) knew exactly what to do and exactly what was needed. Even when I consciously didn’t realise or rebelliously chose to ignore. I now feel a darn site better for it.
I’ve gone on and taken this one step further, maybe because I have the additional energy to do so! I’ve started blocking out regular time in my calendar for “Recharge” this recharge time should consist of nothing but that which will allow my energy levels to increase, good old r & r!
So anyway, I would love to carry on but I’ve just noticed, it’s 11.30pm and we know what that means huh? ;-)
I’d love to hear how sleep has effected you, both the lack of it and what it has enabled you to do when you have allowed yourself your required amount.
