LESS SLEEP DEPRIVED THAN I WAS Saturday Oct. 28, 2017
When we short-change rest, we short-change life.
For decades feeling smug – got by on four hours, sometimes five – evil combo being night owl and early riser.
Most days, most of us would happily change all the money in the bank for a sustained and restful eight hours. I know, I know, we have the money – but who has the time?
Lives are busy, distractions ubiquitous and demands on time cannot be satisfied sometimes with a 40 hour day!
I’ve become focused on sleep recently, re-ordering priorities to get mine, get more, get better rested. With the help of my WHOOP strap I’m tracking every minute of sleep, every nap, every activity. I’m not ruled by it but I’ve learned to pay attention. When my strain days, my rest days and my sleep combo make it clear I should rest – or that I should go hard, I do. I’ve never felt better. I don’t think this has really helped my weight loss – but I absolutely believe it is key to keeping it off …
By that I don’t mean to imply my device is doing anything. It isn’t. It records my heart rate, measures exertion, gives insight to my data, shows when I’m working hard, shows when I’m coasting, shows when I’m sleeping well. Oh such delicious sleep.
Never better …
Do I still get up early?
Yes, nearly every day – not quite as early.
How do I square that?
Go to bed earlier. Naps. Go hard when my body can handle it, rest when I should.
I’ve not mastered anything – but making progress.
Rest, delicious commodity – like ice cream, like summer days.
Reader feedback:
METOO WHO KNEW? Hi Mark. Thank you for sharing, KB, Calgary, AB
Thanks for reading. I appreciate feedback, pro and con, and suggestions to help improve this column and this website are always welcomed - usually published the following day under COMMENTS RECEIVED.
