31 Days to Finding Balance as a Home Manager :: Day 2

A very important step toward Finding Balance as a Home Manager is:


Get Adequate Rest

This is a real struggle for me as I am a natural born night owl and I thrive on the un-interrupted time I am granted after my young children are bedded down for the night.  But, these same children rise at the same time each morning now matter how late I've finally switched off the lights...

If I'm truly honest with myself, I can objectively observe that it's nearly impossible to muster up feelings of happiness, have motivation to be productive or seek to achieve balance when I continually enter my days in a fog and are only able to make it through my daily routine with a continual dose of caffeine, counting the hours until nap time.

It's hard to greet the day with a cheerful attitude when you start off in a fog and a funk.  You lack patience and everything just seems harder when you're sleep deprived. 

Of all the things that affect energy and productivity, nothing is more important than getting a good night’s sleep. 

Exercise, diet, and mental focus are all important, but they can’t make up for a lack of rest.

So basically, if you stay up late at night all in the name of productivity - you're only really stealing productivity and energy from the following day.

Did you also know that sleep deprived people are more likely to be obese?  

It's true.

Sleep deprivation causes an increased appetite which could result in a greater body mass index.

Other studies also suggest that  night owls in general are more likely to be overweight.

I've learned that I operate at my prime during the day (and actually have a bit of energy to spare after the kids going to bed rather than feeling like all I want to do is be a lump on the couch for the next few hours...) when I can get as close to 8 hours as possible.

Even so, I'd say more often than not I get closer to 7.25 hours (and I generally feel a bit draggy with that amount).

My goal for the rest of the month is to do everything possible to get my personal optimal amount of sleep and see how that effects my outlook and personal productivity.  It WILL be a challenge for me, but I think it will prove to be profitable to see the benefits and hopefully motivate me to continue.

It's recommended that the average adult ought to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night with the optimal goal of 8.25 hours.

How do you measure up?

What are you currently getting?

Are you even aware if you are lacking?

Care to join me in the challenge of getting adequate rest?