Slumber Please!

My dad had a saying before taking a nap, he would say," Let me catch-up on that sleep I started last week." At 33 years old, I finally understand what he was saying. The lack of sleep can "make you" or "break you". It is a vital part of our existence as mammals. Being stuck in "fight or flight" mode has an unfortunate effects on your brain chemistry. However, our ancestor found a way to sleep, despite danger in their environment. We now have the privilege of sleep in a safe environment and we are still having trouble. Somebody invented the bed, mattress, pillows, and covers. There are all types of products on the market to aid us with sleep. Think of sleep as a mini vacation in a soft, warm, safe place. Sleep is just as important as a healthy diet, finance, shelter, success, and sex. If don't believe me, try having a conversation with someone who hasn't slept in twenty-four hours and let me know how it goes. The truth is, we need to make sleep a priority, just like we set goals for ourselves. I've had an on going battle with sleep for many years for varies reasons. Let's revisit the last fours years of my sleeping habits. In 2018, I fell upon hard times and was homeless living my car, working an overnight shift. What kind of car did I have? An 2003 Volkswagen beetle! That rights, imagine trying to "catch some shut-eye" in the smallest car ever made! Continue to 2019, My car broke down, I was still working overnight. So I had to find odd places to sleep in the daytime. Maybe the library in the corner or ride the longest bus route for two hours each way, while the summer heat in Florida was at its' hottest. Vulnerability to the elements of outside are a breeding ground for sleep deprivation. Next time you see a homeless person sleep on the street, think about the hardship of having the find a safe place to sleep. Sleeping while seating up cause my legs to swell drastically. Don't worry I have seen a doctor and my health is "A-ok". I stayed at shelter for two months, sharing a small room with five very loud ladies. Which gave me a safe place to sleep but it was far from peaceful. Next stop, 2020, I find an apartment to live in and still working overnight, then "boom" the pandemic hit. Thank god I found housing before the world shut down. Now forward to the end of 2021, I finally found my dream daytime job (yes, a 9 to 5). The "vampire work-life" was taking its toll on my health. Did you know, overnight workers are at a greater risk for health issues like, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. The combination of sleep deprivation, working overnight, and homelessness made my life a living hell. This year, 2022, the most important goal is to get better sleep! Therefore, I have come up with a ritual of self-help. The following step are my part of my sleep campaign for 2022:

1. Go to sleep at a set time from 10pm to 6am

2. No eating after 8pm

3. A foot soak with Epsom salt mixed with eucalyptus ( the smell is quite heavenly)

4. No blue screen (mean phone, laptop, etc.) after 8pm

5. Journaling my annoying thoughts that keep me up at night

6. Drink a cup of Chamomile tea

I have been practicing this ritual for three weeks now and the improvement has been life changing. I lost 15 pounds in two weeks! My serotonin, which I adoringly refer to as "Sara" and Melatonin as "Mel" level are being restored to factory settings. I feel like a human again. The only advise I can give at this point is to make a personal sleep plan for yourself! Good Luck, and Good Night!