Sleep and Rest: What Matters Most
Hi there and welcome,
May 2023 is party month. Offering us an unprecedented three Bank Holidays, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to take a break from work and daily routines. While on the one hand this is really welcome given the difficulties of the last three years, you won’t want to let go so completely that you feel overwhelmed when you face ‘getting back to normal’ in June.
Therefore, what I’d like to encourage you to think about this month is your daily structure. During this extended period of free time, which routines can you overlook because they’re relatively easy to reinstate when you have to, and which are probably best maintained even while you’re having fun?
I’ve chosen to focus on sleeping and eating—sleeping in this post and eating in my next one—because partying almost always involves a departure from normal sleep routines and changes in usual diet.
When we consider sleep, the first guideline is to start by prioritising rest rather than trying to get enough sleep. Why? Because you can control how much you rest, but you can’t force yourself to sleep, and it’s always best to focus on what you can control.
The good news is that going to bed at varying times isn’t the main determinant of best quality sleep. That means that staying up to party is fine. It will cause you to feel temporarily tired, but it’s not likely to upend your sleep/wake cycle in the longer term.
What is important, however, is that when you’re finally ready to turn in for the night, you take the time to carry out your usual bedtime routine. Brushing your teeth, taking a warm shower—whatever you usually do—will act as a trigger to encourage your body to start relaxing and winding down, which in turn means you’re more likely to drift off when you do get into bed.
The other key to best quality sleep is to get up at about the same time each day, no matter how late you were up the night before. No doubt this isn’t welcome news, but if you can make yourself get up at your regular time, your circadian rhythm will be less disrupted and you’ll avoid the unwelcome ‘jet lag’ feeling that accompanies a lie-in for adults.
Furthermore, come June, you’ll be able to get up more easily to go to work, do the school run, take your dog walk, or whatever kick starts a ‘normal’ day for you.
Finally, you could maintain your energy levels and alertness even more dependably, even when partying, if you know the length of your sleep cycle. This is something I’ll write about in June.
Until then, happy partying!
Warm wishes,
Linda
A very helpful and interesting piece! I forget about the difference between "sleep" and "rest". Thanks!