So I might as well come right out and say it: the sleep makeover is going terribly. This is the week before final exams for me and I have had so much to do. That coupled with stress means that this week I got even LESS sleep than last week.
My stats: 5.4 hours of sleep a night (0.4 hrs/night less than last week) and an average bedtime of, wait for it, 2am (a half-hour later than last week). The earliest I've gone to sleep this week has been 12:30am and that was when I had to get up at 6am. Crud.
At this point in time it seems I might just have to schedule things better. I have a lot to do: full-time classes, two jobs (though one is only a few hours a week), usually a couple hours of volunteering, and this blog. Plus time to make meals, do chores, and actually relax, which is a priority for me. And I know, I know, sleep should be a priority too. So this next week my only goal is managing time better so I'm NOT working until 2 o'clock in the morning every night. Next week is final exams so we'll see what happens.
I feel like a Debbie Downer now, but I really do think this sleep makeover will work out in the end. I just didn't know it would be so much more difficult than the spending hiatus- you'd think staying away from shopping would be harder than sleeping. Who knew? Any advice from you awesome sleepers out there? Or, you know, any fellow insomniacs are totally invited to commiserate.
In related news: Petra over at Glamour wrote this blog post about how lack of sleep may contribute to acne. The link is apparently cortisol, the stress hormone, which surges when you don't get enough sleep and which can exacerbate acne. Well crud. Maybe that's why I'm breaking out constantly right now, despite washing my face every day.
PS: I've figured while I'm obsessing over sleep, I might as well include some pictures of bedrooms I love. This one (above) is in my "white bedrooms I love but can't have thanks to my black cat and talent for spilling things" file. How cool is the striped "canopy" above the bed?
You can check out the other two sleep makeover posts here.
Image via the Domino website.
Oooh that bed does look nice! I usually get at least 7-9 hours of sleep a night, I just can't function on any less. I am more of a morning person though.
ReplyDeleteI've been getting up at 5:30 lately and by 8:00 a.m. I've usually done the 30-day shred workout, posted a blog, read and commented on a few blogs, showered and got ready and ate breakfast. Then since I get up so early I'm exhausted and ready for bed by 10:00 p.m. or 11 at the latest! I don't know if that would give you enough hours in your day to get stuff done though..
Do you read Glamour magazine by any chance?
ReplyDeleteThe March issue had a really interesting article on weight-loss through sleep. It also discussed, more broadly, about other health benefits.
It IS so tough to get to bed at a decent hour, though.. I wish you the best of luck!
I love bed with any type of canopy hanging over them.
ReplyDeleteAnd if it makes you feel better, with daylight savings you've actually been going to sleep 30 mins EARLIER than last week! You're just having to wak up 1 hour earlier too.
Amber- I envy you, not sure how you manage getting up at 5:30am every day. I know, I know, it's all part of a routine, but I hate mornings.
ReplyDeletedogearedit- I actually read that article, and it's one of the reasons I decided to do this sleep makeover. I'm not too worried about weight loss, but I was really interested in how the others claimed it gave them more energy, especially to work out.
Shoshanah- I never thought of it that way! Genius :)