MY SLEEP RESOLUTION 2022

REST – one word, short and simple four-letter word.

Not complex, easy to remember.

And yet, for a young father of four with a full-time housewife, rest is a luxury.

For a wife with an unemployed husband, rest is expensive.

But even with couples and partners who are both working rests seem to be a remote idea.

More so with single parents with extra mouths to feed, rest may not even be in their vocabulary.

The same for the working class whether you have other mouths to feed or just yourself, rest seems not an option.

In this digital age where everyone is hooked on their gadgets watching out for the latest models and updates on everything from electronics, clothing, entertainment, you name it.

We are always on the go, running after people, beating deadlines, chasing dreams.

Everyone is busy.

Everyone is rushing.

No time to rest.

No time for rest.

They tend to associate resting with being unproductive.

They feel guilty or miss out when they stop and rest.

I included, guilty as charged.

But not until last year, when I started to include having 8 hours of sleep in my New Year’s resolution list.

For me, rest is equivalent to sleep, an 8-hour uninterrupted sleep.

Which unfortunately was not achieved last year not even close.

That is why sleep is again included in this year’s New Year’s resolution.

And this time it is a priority.

It sounds so simple though but mind you it is hard to achieve.

I failed last year.

It was very challenging, considering also my age (50s?).

It was not easy.

I know a lot of people struggle with sleep regardless of age that is why sleeping pills and other sleeping aids were invented.

Growing up sleep was never a problem.

I can sleep wherever my back touches a flat surface and whenever and have a good sleep.

Not until 2 years ago that my hormones started messing up with my sleep.

When in the middle of the night you wake up with hot flushes.

Or you simply can’t go to sleep even when you are already lying on your bed.

And it’s already close to the morning when sleep finally gets to you.

And that’s not fun at all.

Especially when you need to work the next day.

I remember me and my cousin used to do sleepovers in her sister’s house on weekends when we were in college.

We sleep in the guest room and share the same bed.

She always wakes me up every time I fall asleep on her while she is still talking so animated, sharing her stories excitedly, which I will make comments, funny reactions, and laugh, and suddenly I am silent.

When she realizes that I am already sleeping, she will wake me up.

And back then I did not mind her waking me up again and again until she got tired and fall asleep herself.

That is how blessed I was with sleep.

I remember another story that will support my claim of being good with sleep.

I was waiting for my ride going back to my dormitory after my class in college.

I was standing, waiting, my back against the wall in the waiting area and I fall asleep.

Even when I was already working, I got compliments from co-workers whom I shared sleeping quarters during conferences, retreats, sleepovers, for being a good sleeper.

Once my back hits the bed I am dead to the world.

For this year 2022, I want to reclaim those glorious days of having no trouble sleeping.

I know that is a huge ask maybe next to impossible but doable.

I will again try this year to have an 8-hour uninterrupted sleep which is a top priority in my New Year’s resolution list.

And how do I intend to achieve it?

I will do my best to do the following:

1. No snacking after 8 PM. If cannot resist snacking, go for healthy snacks like nuts and veggies (celery or carrot).

2. Turn off the computer after 10 PM.

3. Go to bed no later than 11 PM.

Looks so simple and easy, right?

So, help me God with those resolves!

We need good sleep to stay healthy.

When we are healthy, we can function well and be more productive.

Good sleep not only reduces stress but also boosts the immune system which helps you to stay happy.

Isn’t happiness is everyone’s goal?

There you go.

And let us not forget that a good bed has also a great role to play in having a good sleep.

A good bed that will lull you to sleep and makes you awake the next day refresh, that wants you excited to start the day is indeed a good investment.

And once you have that good sleep which for me is an 8-hour uninterrupted sleep, that is REST for me.

And sleep can be a many splendored thing.

That is my sleep resolution this year 2022.