My week 2 took months!

Week One was a disaster. Had to keep changing wake and sleep times because I can't function during the day when I'm tired. Really wanted to quit trying, but what's the alternative? Joined the 28 day boot camp challenge yesterday, and for the first time I was actually tired at bed time. Also been listening to a sleep CD before bed all week. Last night was the first time I actually heard the sentence - give yourself permission to fall asleep. I realized I always fight falling asleep. Since I was a kid, I always fought to stay up just one more hour. Also, in bed is the only quiet time during the day when I can mull over my problems. Seems like I am not the only one who might be working on this issue for a long time. But this time I'm committed to stick with it until sleep becomes a habit.

Hi ROBERTGSHOWERS,

I'm using the "Way of Life" habit tracking app plus several meditation apps ("Calm.com", "Headspace," and "Guided Mind"). Way of Life helps keep me focused on my goal (even when I keep failing to meet it!), while the meditation apps help me get to sleep when I can't fall asleep on my own.

Recently I added the Jawbone Up sleep tracker, which is *really* helping me stay focused. I recommend trying a fitness tracker with sleep tracking.

Finally, two days ago, I had a tremendous upset at work, and I knew I would ruminate instead of falling asleep. So, I stayed up late and did an hour of yoga before bed. Afterward I went straight to sleep and slept soundly all night. My Jawbone Up sleep tracker reported that I slept more deeply that night than any other. So I'll be adding yoga back to my nightly routine.

Good luck!

-Daff

Edited by: DAFFYDYLL at: 8/9/2015 (10:44)

Hi MEMORPHING,

Regarding months instead of weeks: Me too!!!

I got to bed "on time" 2-3 times during each of the Sleep Challenge Weeks 1-2. But I've actually been working on this for months, with the same rate of success...

It feels like such a mystery: Will tonight be one of those magic nights when I'm able to tick chores off on time and get to bed, or will tonight be back to the "old normal" when everything seems to take longer than planned, and I have to pick and choose between basic needs (prepping food, exercising, kitty litter, and sleep)? (I don't even have kids -- how do parents do this?!?)

What will it take for me to make some consistent progress? I have recently made bed time my second-highest priority (after getting to work on time, but ahead of walking, prepping food, and playing with cats). I can only trust that with practice and time -- possibly months -- I'll start to get more reliable.

I'm not used to having to struggle so hard with something so basic. I'm a fast learner, and I like getting things done. This is taking more humility and patience than I'm accustomed to!



-Daff

Edited by: DAFFYDYLL at: 8/9/2015 (10:45)

Agreed! Changing habits can take time - better to do it right.
But I have been stcuk for several months.

Has anybody used a smartphone app like Sleep As Android, Sleep Cycle or Sleepbot? Did you find them effective?

http://lifehacker.com/5993005/five-best-
sleep-tracking-gadgets-or-apps

I think it is better to take more time and do it correctly than slide through it.

I think I read somewhere that it takes 30 days to change and make your behavior a habit. 1 month might seem like a long time to some, but you have to start some where and how else would you spend that 30 days? For me, I am trying to be a little more flexible with my time... Just when I think I have a good routine that works for me and going to bed, something happens that I am up a little later than normal. I still have to get up at the same time to go to work, but to realize that it is ok to stay up and deal with (________) fill in the blank...

I always find that my dreams take longer when put into action

Change takes time. Just keep at it and you can make the change a new habit! Way to go!

Good For You Keep Up The Good Work...

Awesome!!! Keep it up!!! no matter how long it takes..

Any progress is amazing, no matter how long it takes. Well done!

I have been on week two for a few months. I got started and then didn't follow through with the weekly challenges, BUT I have been working on my sleep. For the past few weeks I have been getting 6.5-8.5 hours of sleep nightly. Usually I log in about 7 hours. This has been wonderful. The best changes I noticed were after I started exercising regularly. That seems to have helped a lot.