After 3 weeks of quarantine, I was more exhausted than I felt pre-quarantine.
Why? Maybe because in the transition, I wanted to make sure I was “using the free time wisely.” For me, that meant getting a lot of projects done.
When 3 weeks passed, I realized that not only were my projects not “all done” like I thought they would be, but I was emotionally and mentally drained. My new sleeping schedule of 5am or 6am-11pm did not help either!
I knew at that point, I needed to look at my sleep patterns. I needed to take rest seriously if I wanted to continue giving in the capacity I want to in my world. Apparently, the CDC agrees. According to a 2016 CDC study, 1 in 3 adults don’t get the recommended number of sleep.
Key Points on the Importance of Sleep
1. Beauty - your body produces the growth hormone “which repairs daily damage from things like sun exposure and pollution and creates new cells so you wake up looking brighter, fresher, and more vibrant.” That is why nighttime is the perfect time to put on a hard working moisturizer. (sleepfoundation.org) I have a perfect plant-mineral based moisturizer that is thick, yet soaks right in. I love how my face looks after, and the ingredients on top of sleep growth hormones are to thank!
2. Emotions: According to sleep.org: “just one week of not getting enough sleep could leave you feeling sad, angry, stressed out, and just generally not on your A-game.” Immune system: “Without sufficient sleep, your body makes fewer cytokines, a type of protein that targets infection and inflammation, effectively creating an immune response. Cytokines are both produced and released during sleep, causing a double whammy if you skimp on shut-eye.” (Sleepfoundation.org)
3. Healthier Weight: Sleep.org states “It’s easier to resist tempting treats when you've gotten a good night's sleep, in part because being short on sleep can boost hormones in your blood that make you feel extra hungry. In fact, according to researchers at the University of Chicago, well-rested dieters lose as much as 55 percent more fat than sleep-deprived ones.”
So, armed with this knowledge, I committed to 7-8 hours of sleep a night during the month of June… and failed. I realized that habits are hard to break when the mindset is the same. For me, I struggled with the idea of being worthy enough to invest the time in myself. Also, I had a scarcity mindset. I believed I “didn’t have enough time” to do the things I needed to do, be there for the people I wanted to be there for, AND sleep.
A couple affirmations that have helped me in this include...
I am worthy of rest.
I love my body and mind that work so hard for me.
I am always in divine timing.
I release my work and give it to God.
Now that I have had this time to address these thoughts, I feel more ready to make lasting changes. However, although I struggled with making it to bed on time, I did create a good sleeping environment that supported the sleep I DID get. I am excited to share these with you!
How I created a helpful sleeping environment:
1. Set a time and stick to it:
Understand that you are worth investing in. I don’t know about you, but when I start a new habit, I kick and scream inside. As I mentioned setting a bedtime schedule messed with the internal schedule I had to keep going till I dropped, and it also interfered with my habits of letting other people take the time I set aside for myself. However, one thing I still have to preach to myself is that the space to relax and unwind is necessary to fill my cup so I can give back more fully - and also because my soul needs healing and rest, too!
2. Lights:
Avoid blue light or bright light prior to going to bed. Turn off the screens or, if you have to look at screens before bedtime, check out a good pair of blue light glasses. After much research, I got a pair of pixel glasses, and I LOVE them. Get a pair with the discount code Equipped5. Now, for overnighters, according to sleep.org, try using block curtains and wear sunglasses when you leave your workplace to trick your brain into thinking it is evening.
3. Use therapeutic grade Seed to Seal essential oils:
I turn on my diffuser before I go to bed. For optimal relaxation, put on the diffuser 30 min before bedtime. Essential Oils are able to help the mind feel calmer, and studies have shown positive benefits the essential oils have on relaxing - especially emotionally. Click HERE for my favorite diffusers and oils I use at bedtime.
4. Stretch or try relaxing techniques:
Check out my morning stretch routine video, which is also great for night time OR youtube a stretch video for bedtime.
5. If you are finding you are still tossing and turning… try a ‘reset:’
Get up, read a book, walk around and have a drink of water. Then try to go back to sleep. Just avoid the tv and phone, as that will make matters worse!
Choose one thing to change and see how you feel, then implement another change, until you get the sleeping space you need.
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