Sleep hygiene
Recently I've been getting up consistently at 7:30. It started a week ago Monday, because I had to get out of bed early enough to get Brenna headed towards climbing camp. I had to set the alarm. I'm not a morning person, but I liked the routine. I started getting tired sooner in the evening (by midnight). Keeping the same wakeup time five days in a row, I slept better than usual. When the weekend came, I decided to stick with it.
Michael, the facilitator of group therapy, said one of the most important things we can do to manage anxiety and depression is practice good sleep hygiene. The way to do it is always, always wake up at the same time no matter when we go to bed. I've struggled to establish that habit, but Brenna's necessity finally motivated me.
It seems my thoughts are more coherent lately. Not that I've been incoherent, just didn't have as much mental energy to stick with an idea. My writing has been more concentrated. I've been more willing to address existential questions like the one raised in yesterday's post. I want to read more, and not just for diversion, but to inform and challenge myself.
Summer plans have shifted somewhat because Marian got a job for the month of August, and won't be here much (Congrats!). Brenna has to go back to Lindsay for a few days next week, so I'll have some unexpected time alone. At the prospect of four days to myself, I would usually think relaxation and recuperation, but I am already calm and energized. Instead I want to focus on an endeavour. Exactly what, I'll decide by Tuesday.
This seems to enhance an intangible shift in energy I've felt since early June, a positive one. I would like to keep the alarm set at 7:30 for the rest of this busy summer, and beyond.
