A series of family health issues, a restless partner with odd midnight habits, the unpredictable nature of freelance work, and a serious back injury—these challenges, in no particular order, wreaked havoc on my sleep. Coinciding with the rise of social media, this was a recipe for sleepless nights. One day, I woke up (too late, of course) and realized that my sleep—and consequently my life—was spiraling.
Without sufficient rest, my creativity dwindled, and my mental sharpness began to fade. Feeling like a zombie was simply unacceptable; my entire life, including my livelihood, depended on quality sleep.
In your 20s, you can bounce back from a couple of late nights filled with partying or working. I remember juggling grad school while hitting the town four or five nights a week until the early hours—then somehow managing my job and freelance projects. Ah, those were the days!
Once I crossed the big 3-0, maintaining that kind of schedule became incredibly tough, even with a daily coffee habit that felt like an IV drip. Sure, having a baby crying through the monitor every few hours complicates things, but perhaps it’s just that our bodies aren’t meant to thrive past 30. Isn’t that a delightful twist?
Experimenting on Myself
Sleep is vital—it’s the time when our brains detox and consolidate memories. It’s foundational for overall wellness. Without it, our bodies simply stop functioning properly: weight gain, depression, a weakened immune system. Realizing that my sleep was crucial, I decided to become my own experiment. Prescription pills and anti-anxiety medications were out of the question, as I’m overly sensitive to those. I needed a natural solution, and that’s where my quirky orange welder’s glasses came into play. (More on that later!)
We all know our tech-saturated lives are wreaking havoc on our well-being—making us feel isolated, anxious, and, let’s face it, a bit self-absorbed. The blue light emitted by our beloved devices is a major culprit, disrupting our sleep. Even your bedside lamp can throw your circadian rhythms into chaos, which are essential for restful sleep and waking up refreshed.
When blue light hits your eyes, your pineal gland reacts as if it’s morning, throwing off your body’s internal clock and starving you of melatonin. I came across an article from Harvard Medical School that prompted me to invest in those funky orange glasses. Now, when evening rolls around and I’m either alone or surrounded by non-judgmental friends, I pop them on. They block that pesky blue light, allowing me to indulge in my online guilty pleasures without sacrificing my sleep.
Transform Your Bedroom
Next on my agenda? Creating a dark sanctuary for sleep. I always thought I could sleep with some light around, but research proved me wrong. So, I splurged on stylish blackout curtains and even sewed my old ones onto them for extra darkness. My bedroom is now a cozy sleep cave, blocking out street noise and any electronic distractions. Guests may be startled by the pitch-blackness, but I’ve come to love it. I also tried several quality sleep masks as a backup plan.
Coffee: My Love-Hate Relationship
Oh, how I mourned the day I realized I had become more sensitive to caffeine. Seriously, God, was I never going to enjoy an iced cappuccino at 5 p.m. again? It was a hard pill to swallow. While I still savor my morning coffee, I save it for a special ritual since I know I won’t be having any until the next day. On weekends, I sometimes indulge in a cold brew, which has slightly less caffeine. During the week, if I need a boost, I switch to matcha tea, which offers a gentler lift that fades away after about five hours.
A Few Extra Tips:
- Keep your bed a sanctuary for sleep and intimacy only—no reading, working, or scrolling.
- Try to have an orgasm before bed, whether solo or with a partner. It’s a natural sedative thanks to oxytocin!
- Soak up some morning sunlight to regulate your circadian rhythms. If your routine keeps you indoors, grab a few extra minutes to bask in the glow.
- Don’t underestimate the power of an evening bath. Despite your busy schedule, you deserve a little “me time.” Toss in two cups of Epsom salts for relaxation, plus a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
- For the ladies, consider exploring “Lunaception,” a 1970s theory that aligns your cycle with the moon’s phases—ideal for sleep and hormonal balance.
- I found fantastic software that adjusts your device’s light as the sun sets. If you try only one tip from this article, make it this one; it’s easy and free!
Sweet dreams!
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In summary, my journey to reclaiming my sleep has been a blend of self-experimentation and practical adjustments. By blocking blue light, optimizing my environment, and establishing healthier habits, I’ve turned my sleep around—and you can too!