Sleep. It’s something many of us take for granted until it starts to mess with our lives. I’ve battled sleep issues on and off, from full-blown insomnia to waking up groggy despite supposedly getting enough shut-eye. And let me tell you, both ends of the spectrum – insomnia and unproductive sleep – can seriously mess with your health and happiness.
I know, I know, it’s not news. But I never really paid it much mind until 2023 hit me with a fresh wave of sleep deprivation. After three weeks of barely scraping by on three to four hours of sleep a night, I hit rock bottom. I was a walking zombie, stumbling through my days with a perpetual hangover vibe, despite steering clear of alcohol for over six years.
Something had to change.
So, I dove into the world of sleep research, trying all the usual suspects: no caffeine after 3 pm, screen-free hour before bed, warm baths, melatonin – you name it. But after another week of tossing and turning, I caved and booked an appointment with my doc.
Desperation and the Quest for a Quick Fix
Sleep deprivation breeds desperation. I could’ve easily walked out with a prescription for sleeping pills, and sure enough, I did. Reluctantly. But even with the meds knocking me out, I still woke up feeling like I’d been hit by a truck.
Back to the drawing board.
Turns out, clocking hours asleep means squat. What really matters is the quality of your sleep and diving into those precious sleep stages. That’s when I stumbled upon the concept of “sleep architecture” – fancy term for the stages of sleep I clearly wasn’t mastering. So, I invested in a wearable sleep tracker to peek into my nightly escapades. Sure, I worried about being tethered to tech all night, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Turns out, I was barely scratching the surface of deep and REM sleep, the good stuff that leaves you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day.
Knowledge is Power – Time to Take Action
Armed with my sleep data, I revamped my bedtime routine. No screens after 8 pm (cue the family rejoicing over my newfound crankiness). A relaxing pre-bed ritual involving baths, skincare, candles, and non-toxic room sprays became my jam. And let’s not forget the good ol’ book – sorry, Kindle, but it’s paperbacks only past 9 pm.
I tightened up on eating too close to bedtime and pumped up my daytime activity levels, even dragging myself to the gym for some sauna time.
The Payoff
And guess what? It worked! Ten days of sticking to the plan, and I was waking up feeling like a whole new person. No more brain fog, no more crankiness – just me, refreshed and ready to take on the world. My family even welcomed back the old me with open arms.
And most importantly…no prescription sleep-aids.
Sleep is a game-changer, folks. It affects not just us but everyone around us. So, let’s start paying it the attention it deserves.
I’ve retired my sleep tracker for now (but more on that later). Still, I’m grateful for the wake-up call it provided – pun totally intended. The numbers don’t lie, and they’ve shown me just how vital a solid sleep routine is for my overall well-being.
Got a sleep routine that works wonders for you? Share your secrets below or shoot me an email at tami@tamipritchard.com. Let’s snooze our way to a happier, healthier life!
XO