I've been giving this a lot of thought over the last few months. My sleep pattern. It's better than it was, but still not great. I've totally nailed going to bed earlier and not watching TV so late, but sometimes my sleep is so broken, I still feel shattered when my alarm goes off, so guess what? I hit the snooze button. Then its a bit of rush getting out the door, and I kick myself for not giving myself a more relaxing chilled out start to my day, by getting up earlier. I have all my work stuff, and food for the next day prepped the night before, so that's not the issue, but what is it that makes it so difficult for me to just get up?
I asked this question on my Facebook page and loads of people got involved, the most common answer seems to be, in bed my 10pm and up at 7. So! This week, that's my goal!
I'm getting down and dirty with my Circadian Rhythm. This is such a great thing to know about. Apparently, our bodies have optimal times during the day and night to do certain tasks.
Here's an explanation of the Circadian Rhythm from a website called Psychology Today:
"Often referred to as the "body clock", the circadian rhythm is a cycle that tells our bodies when to sleep, rise, eat--regulating many physiological processes. This internal body clock is affected by environmental cues, like sunlight and temperature. When one's circadian rhythm is disrupted, sleeping and eating patterns can run amok. "
In the past I have gone to bed at about 1130pm, too late for me, like many people, I can lose myself messing about on Instagram or messaging friends, and then setting my alarm for 8am or earlier if I'm going to the gym. It's taken me this long to put 2 and 2 together, but I always wake up at 6am. Have a huffy tantrum and try to get back to sleep again, then guess what? Wake up knackered.
We are cruising into Autumn and the clocks on the wall change at the end of the month, I want to get as much daylight in my day as I can.
I also want to get as much out of my day as I can. I'll keep you posted with how it goes.
I've included an image explaining the rises and falls of body temperature, hormones, and other physical activities during a 24 hour cycle. We all have optimum times of the day when we are at our best, and not so best. Try tuning into yours and recognising what possibly your triggers are for getting good sleep, or not getting good sleep. I'll be keeping a diary.
Many of the people that commented on my Facebook post, are winning and achieving all over the place, going to bed and getting up at the same time during their working week. I'm about to try to get on board with that.
Let me know your comments and how you get on!
Sweet dreams. Elizabeth