How To Get More Sleep

⇟Sleep on it⇟

Do you suffer from lack of sleep like me? I'm just gonna come right out and say it...I'm not perfect. I suffer from sleep deprivation and at times its no laughing matter.

So what is the solution to getting better sleep? Since I've tried almost everything under the moon, I feel like this blog is mostly to hold ME accountable and YOU to be entertained by some of my ridiculous conclusions.

I know you're probably gonna think I'm nuts, but this is how I come up with most if my new ideas. Seriously...like 99.9% of what keeps me up at night is due to brainstorming my next reincarnation so to speak. Do you want to know what percentage I actually put to use? About .01%. This is the part where I'm almost laughing and crying on the inside. My sleep is equivalent to Goofy's swimming...you know, the part where he is spastically flailing his limbs around in the water, but getting nowhere? Yep. Just one looooong run-on daydream.

Are you ready to learn what's been working for me? Too bad! Just kidding, here a list:

1. Make Dinner Count! I really like to set the tone for the evening with enjoying my meal. If I know that I need to be up early tomorrow morning for a meeting before work, I'm going to lull myself. I might listen to some relaxing music or make a soul food dish. If I have a lot of work to do before the night is over, I would go the quick and healthy route so there isn't  a crash and burn moment a hour after eating.

2. 10-10-5. Now you're gonna think I've lost it, and I honestly don't know if this is as effective as it feels, but if it's tricking my brain into thinking I'm being more productive, then so be it. This is a formula I came up with more recently. The only annoying part is the amount of stop and go. Come up with your favorite 10 exercises and create a rotation. Perform those exercises for exactly 10 seconds each. Then take a 5 minute TIMED break (use a digital timer). Take this moment to read a couple of emails, jump on social media, pay some bills online. Then right back into your 10 for 10.

3. Crunch Mode. Now that your heart rate is up and you've started knocking a couple of things off your list, this is the time to strike while the iron is hot! Anything from setting up my next post for tomorrow morning, to writing a to do list, to researching something I've been meaning to get to. After about a solid hour I find myself drifting...'I wonder if I have any chocolate left in the pantry', 'What should I wear to my friends bachelorette party on Friday?' 'I need to do a hair mask soon, it's feeling so dry lately.' Don't let yourself go down that rabbit hole! Stay in Crunch Mode or it's time to power down. 

4. Power Down. This part is incredibly difficult for me, especially when I'm alone at night and in the middle of a project I can't seem to peel myself away from. BUT it's crucial. Laptop goes in the other room, phone goes on the charger, and the TV is off. Get one of those packs at the store you can reheat, (or if you have a Mom who made one for you with a bag of rice that works too). Heat your pack in the microwave for 30-45 seconds and wrap that bad boy around your neck or place on your lower back. Then cozy up in your favorite blanket. Close your eyes and take a moment to power down.

5. Rabbit Hole. This is the moment where all of those thoughts get to start bubbling to the surface and you start jotting them down. Write them on a paper however big, small, or unrelated the thoughts may be. I have learned that its best to be as detailed as possible. I have had many moments when I revisit the notes the following day and can only make sense of about half of what I wrote down.

6. Chillax. One of the most important things toward me getting a good nights rest is feeling like I've had some true downtime. Regardless of what the experts say, I like to relax and watch a show or socialize via social media, or even write this blog! The main part of chillaxing is it feels earned and deserved so there is intention behind my mission to chillaxing. The biggest rule that I have set for myself during chillax mode is, it must end at a certain time. Speaking of, I have 5 more minutes...

What are your sleeping hacks? Would love to hear from you!

XO
-Ambrosia Carey