Its been a week since my last blog. I've been on my summer holidays and I did manage to switch off from work and home... however I did have a lot of time to think about my happiness project, and what aspects I should tackle first. So here I am back blogging on happiness, and its now time to implement some simple changes that should make me happier. So the first issue is sleep, and I have taken it upon myself to read what others feel about sleep and happiness.
There is no doubt that a lack of sleep makes you more irritable, lethargic and unhappy. Ask any new parents. However, upon my investigation into sleep, particularly of influential and substantial people in society, I was surprised what i found. Did you know that Napoleon, Margaret Thatcher and Florence Nightingale only ever slept 4 hours a night? And if we sway towards people I might have a bit more respect for, scientists, this is what I find:
Really? 4 hours... So I started to delve more into the concept of sleep. Does it really help us recover from the days activities? Well apparently, sleep only saves 50 Kcal - which is about the same as an apple, that is not really the reason we need sleep. But reading on... sleep does play a big part in brain development, being able to think flexibly, speak clearer, remember and recall things. So it is needed.
However, reading on, there appears to be a fine line between too little and too much sleep. Because over sleeping also leads to lethargy and depression. Its a delicate balance you have to find.
I started this blog thinking that to be happier, I need to sleep more. However I am ending this blog thinking that is not more sleep I need, its probably less sleep I need, but good quality sleep. Because if I slept more, I would have less time to do all the stuff I need to do. Nope, its not more sleep I need, its less.
I get about 7-8 hours of sleep a night. I do know that the last thing I do before bed is fiddle with my phone, and the first thing I do when I wake up is fiddle with my phone. Beeping phones in the middle of the night must be effecting the quality of my sleep. So task 1 for happiness - leave the phone downstairs before going to bed. The lights and sounds its generating are certain to effect my sleep. And second task - lets see if I can survive on only 7 hours of sleep a day (1 hour less) and still be alert and happy. So I need to make sure before bed that I have a comfy bed to sleep in, the window is slightly ajar to get some fresh air in and the door of the bedroom is closed to prevent interruptions. I will let you know how I get on :0)
There is no doubt that a lack of sleep makes you more irritable, lethargic and unhappy. Ask any new parents. However, upon my investigation into sleep, particularly of influential and substantial people in society, I was surprised what i found. Did you know that Napoleon, Margaret Thatcher and Florence Nightingale only ever slept 4 hours a night? And if we sway towards people I might have a bit more respect for, scientists, this is what I find:
Really? 4 hours... So I started to delve more into the concept of sleep. Does it really help us recover from the days activities? Well apparently, sleep only saves 50 Kcal - which is about the same as an apple, that is not really the reason we need sleep. But reading on... sleep does play a big part in brain development, being able to think flexibly, speak clearer, remember and recall things. So it is needed.
However, reading on, there appears to be a fine line between too little and too much sleep. Because over sleeping also leads to lethargy and depression. Its a delicate balance you have to find.
I started this blog thinking that to be happier, I need to sleep more. However I am ending this blog thinking that is not more sleep I need, its probably less sleep I need, but good quality sleep. Because if I slept more, I would have less time to do all the stuff I need to do. Nope, its not more sleep I need, its less.
I get about 7-8 hours of sleep a night. I do know that the last thing I do before bed is fiddle with my phone, and the first thing I do when I wake up is fiddle with my phone. Beeping phones in the middle of the night must be effecting the quality of my sleep. So task 1 for happiness - leave the phone downstairs before going to bed. The lights and sounds its generating are certain to effect my sleep. And second task - lets see if I can survive on only 7 hours of sleep a day (1 hour less) and still be alert and happy. So I need to make sure before bed that I have a comfy bed to sleep in, the window is slightly ajar to get some fresh air in and the door of the bedroom is closed to prevent interruptions. I will let you know how I get on :0)
Hows it going? No mobile in the bedroom? WHAT! lol
ReplyDeleteNot sure I could do that but I was thinking of giving it a try the other week. Makes perfect sense.
Drude, so happy to read your cynical comments. Its going bad... phone withdrawal symptoms, I am having to administer it by IV drip..... And the sleep I am struggling with too... I think i need the full 8 hours, will update soon
ReplyDelete