“The amount of sleep required by the average person is five minutes more.” – Wilson Mizener, American playwright
The essay is due tomorrow but then again so are those math problems. Oh no, I have a statistics test! There’s a pile of dirty laundry on the floor. Yes Mom, one minute! NO! I totally forgot it was her birthday. What was I doing again? Right, panicking!
Everyone remembers a moment when the world seemed to be caving in and the only difference between sanity and crazy town was the equivalent of a line drawn with sidewalk chalk. It is in these times that we begin to wish for more hours in the day. And it is during this time that we often take matters into our own hands and try to add those hours.
Most know the effects of sleep deprivation and understand why this unfortunate cycle damages the human body in the long run. However, the problem often lies beyond our control. Or so we think.
The most common excuse for sleep deprivation (and one I use literally all the time) is that there is simply not enough time to get a full 7 to 8 hours. However, there are a few small strategies to obliterate this excuse and guarantee at least a little bit more sleep.
Set an Alarm
I know an alarm seems like an odd choice for someone who wants to get as much sleep as possible. However, alarms can be used for more than waking up. Set an alarm to go off an hour before you want to go to sleep. Just knowing the time frame may help you to complete everything you need to within that hour. This tactic avoids the all too familiar “what the heck, it’s midnight!” realization.
Take 10
This blog is not only an exercise on healthy sleeping habits but on productivity. If the thing keeping you from sleep is work, why not make the work disappear?
In this fast paced society, it is far too easy to get caught up in the “rat race.” Feel like you’re always working but not really getting anywhere fast? I know I do a lot.
The simple truth is that the human body (or any body for that matter) was not created to run a non-stop series of marathons from day to day. The body physically and mentally needs a bit of downtime.
The solution: take breaks.
As with anything there is a danger here. Many for example may have the tendency to draw out their breaks or to transform that 15 minute period of rest into 12 hours. The key is balance, restraint and a bit of dedication. An article by Success titled “Personal Development” recommends 90 minutes of work and 30 minutes of rest.
“If you work without breaks, you will burn out—mentally and physically. But if you unplug too often, your performance will weaken. So to maximize your output, you need to focus your working time in 90-minute chunks (‘focus mode’) and follow up with 30-minute breaks (‘stop mode’).”- Success
Of course rigid 90 minute work periods may not be the best fit for everyone. Personally I like to work for an hour straight and then stop for ten minutes and spend some time with my pets, reading or listening to music. Make sure to do whatever you can during these periods to truly find a bit of rest.
Why do today what you could do tomorow
Maybe this feels like the lazy person’s manifesto. Maybe it is to some degree. However, working too far ahead often stands in the way of what is happening right here and right now.
There needs to be a certain point when we realize, we have completed all we need to for that day and leave the rest to tomorrow.
God knew we needed both work and rest in perfect harmony. Six days a week we are to work and on the seventh to rest. He told the Israelites to only collect enough manna for that day. He told them and he tells us today to trust Him with the unknown and unexpected. He says to focus on today and not on tomorrow’s many anxieties.
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” -Mathew 6:34 NIV
Distractions love company
Often the day will be perfectly productive when a curve ball is thrown my way. My mom started talking about how our dog did at obedience school and 40 minutes later we are talking about politics and the fate of democracy. A friend tells me to watch a two minute video and I end up watching seven two minute videos. That TV show is on and I watch it plus two more.
Distractions love company. While these things in moderation are certainly not bad, one must be careful not to become too carried away. At some point the responsible person deep within needs to speak up and say “Ahem that was nice. Now you should probably finish up what you are doing.”
Remember it is never too late in the death spiral of distraction to refocus.
I hope these tips will help you to manage time better and get a few extra Zs. Remember your health is important.
The choice is yours. Will you be nutty about health?
For the last addition read Health Nut: Size Matters.
This writer can be reached via Twitter: @skylerklee and via email: [email protected].