3 Simple Sleep Habits That Improve Your Energy and Focus Every Day

I love this quote as it changes the perspective of how important sleep is to how you will function the following day. There are so many articles about sleep that I thought I would share a summary of what I have read. Disclaimer- as noted in prior stories I have written, I am not a doctor or medical professional. However, this is based on my personal experience and a collection of sources I have spent the time to research.

There are things that are important like your sleep position, the pillow you use, raising the bed as needed, the quality of the mattress, etc. However, these 3 topics below are the most important.

1) Wake Up Time

Everything I have been reading and hearing lately is that having a consistent wake up time is more important than the recommended 8 hours of sleep or even the time you go to bed. Giving your body a consistent wake up time signals to your body that it is time to get up and start your day.

Personally, I try to stick with this as much as I can although I deviate on the weekends. I wake up at 6 am each workday and typically 7 am on the weekends but will usually go back to sleep until 8:30/9:00. I know that is counter to what I just shared but I am consistent during the work week. I never used to be though. I remember when I was first married, each day I would set my alarm to a different time depending on what I had to do that day. I think it was when the kids started in grade school when I had to set a consistent time to get up. Now I am finding that I am waking up sometimes a few minutes before my alarm.

2) Don't hit the Snooze Button

I think Mary Beth was ready to divorce me based on how many times I hit the snooze on my alarm clock. Probably 3-4 times each morning, up until a few years ago. I think I remember hearing my mom share this recommendation too years ago but just like I didn't listen to her about how good sweet potatoes are, I also didn't listen about the snooze button.

It wasn't until I started doing more and more research about how to improve your daily performance and the snooze button continued to come up as a top thing to eliminate and it was such as easy fix.

To make the switch, you have to make the mental shift that getting more sleep is better than interrupted sleep. The idea of "I do it just to wake myself up" is a lie we are telling ourselves. Your body, without going into the science of it, does a much better job just waking up once. My recommendation is that if you consistently get up at 7am but you have your alarm set for 6:30 am, change your alarm to 7am. You will feel better throughout the day.

3) Electronics/Social Media

Do I even need to go any further about this. I think we all know we shouldn't do it. This might be more about breaking the habit vs. knowing that it is not good for us. An article I wrote earlier on the topic may be helpful. Daily Challenges to Break Routine and Boost Mindset | Rooted & Refined Living.

The basic premise is that your brain starts working when you are on social media when it should be winding down. The recommendation is 2 hours but that might be unrealistic at first. Maybe try 10 minutes, and then 20, and then 30, etc. See how well you feel better in the morning as a result of shutting down your electronics earlier in the evening.

I am confident that if you build these three recommendations into your daily routine, you will get a better night's sleep and feel better during the day.