Sleep hygiene

[vaneramos]

Recently I've been getting up consistently at 7:30. It started a week ago Monday, because I had to get out of bed early enough to get Brenna headed towards climbing camp. I had to set the alarm. I'm not a morning person, but I liked the routine. I started getting tired sooner in the evening (by midnight). Keeping the same wakeup time five days in a row, I slept better than usual. When the weekend came, I decided to stick with it.

Michael, the facilitator of group therapy, said one of the most important things we can do to manage anxiety and depression is practice good sleep hygiene. The way to do it is always, always wake up at the same time no matter when we go to bed. I've struggled to establish that habit, but Brenna's necessity finally motivated me.

It seems my thoughts are more coherent lately. Not that I've been incoherent, just didn't have as much mental energy to stick with an idea. My writing has been more concentrated. I've been more willing to address existential questions like the one raised in yesterday's post. I want to read more, and not just for diversion, but to inform and challenge myself.

Summer plans have shifted somewhat because Marian got a job for the month of August, and won't be here much (Congrats!). Brenna has to go back to Lindsay for a few days next week, so I'll have some unexpected time alone. At the prospect of four days to myself, I would usually think relaxation and recuperation, but I am already calm and energized. Instead I want to focus on an endeavour. Exactly what, I'll decide by Tuesday.

This seems to enhance an intangible shift in energy I've felt since early June, a positive one. I would like to keep the alarm set at 7:30 for the rest of this busy summer, and beyond.

Comments

[justapostcard.livejournal.com]

Getting up at the same time each day seems like such a good idea -- I'm going to try it. I've had terrible sleep habits. I remember when I'd get cranky when I was living at home my mother would say, "You didn't get enough sleep!" -- of course, I hated hearing that as a teenager, but I think she was probably right!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I started taking mirtazapine as an anti-anxiety drug a little over two years ago. Mostly it just allows me to sleep better, which has benefitted my state of mind over time. I still have to deal with the bad habits left over from a lifetime of sleeping poorly. That's the current challenge.

After the weekend camping trip, waking up with the alarm this morning was painful. What got me out of bed was remembering how good I felt last week.

[ink-ling.livejournal.com]

I have such trouble with sleep. Have for the past few years. When I do fall asleep relatively early (midnight basically) and get up relatively early (8-ish), I have the best of days. Your post reminded me I might try to keep that as the norm.

I'm excited to hear about the endeavor!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

My goal at this point is to make Thursday my "ideal day". I have no other commitments, so I would like to set aside time for all the things I want to do: journaling in the morning, drawing, a walk (or, if the weather is still beastly hot, an air-conditioned drive), and heading to a favourite pub to write poetry and read in the evening. This all depends on getting some housework done today and tomorrow to restore some order to my apartment.