Whenever I’m getting ready to post an article for Works For Me Wednesday, I try to think of something helpful for all the readers out there. I don’t want to just post a random thought or idea – I would actually like to help someone!
As I started thinking about the WFMW post today, I remember the awful day I had yesterday. It had been a long weekend and the week before it had been even longer because my daughter had been so sick. At the last minute, we had a change of plans for Monday and I figured I would take the opportunity to sleep in and not follow our regular weekday schedule.
And, slept in I did!! I didn’t even set eyes on the clock until nearly 9am!! I don’t remember the last time I slept that late in the morning.
With all that extra sleep, you would think I might have had an extra bounce in my step all day. Nope – exact opposite! I was dragging all day long, did nothing productive except for smiling at my kids and reading to them, and basically walked around with my eyes half-open all day. Thankfully, I was able to make dinner for my hard-working husband!
I didn’t have my schedule to motivate me to accomplish the next task. The whole day was a complete waste and, by evening, I was feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. I felt like I wasn’t being a good mom, like I wasn’t handling my duties properly, like I had too much to do for lil’ ol’ me!
A day off is good – but, a day off with no motivation, no goals, no reason can end up being a bad day.
One thing I have learned is that waking up early has a huge impact on my mental outlook. From the research I’ve done (trying to figure out if I was crazy for thinking this!!) it’s because of the blue light in the morning. You know, when the first streaks of light just begin to penetrate your bedroom window? That blue light helps our bodies shut off the melatonin-production and switch over to *day mode*. There have been many times that I feel more tired after sleeping later in the morning than when I get up at my usual early morning time.
Just a few bits from my study:
Morning Light Therapy As An Antidepressant
Days like yesterday make me LOVE my schedule even more! The kids are happy, the house is clean, dinner is on the table and, I might be tired, but I feel GREAT! If you’d like a glimpse at how I put my schedule together, I did a scheduling series a while back. Maybe it’ll get your scheduling juices flowing!
Related Posts
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s so true! I’m an early bird – I love to catch that early morning light, even if I’ve slept late the night before. It also gives me a chance to enjoy a peaceful house as everyone else is sleeping!
I’m a terrible sleeper (due to chronic back pain and allergies) but I try to get up early. At least, I wake up around 7:30 and sit in bed reading while I eat breakfast. I get up after a chapter or two and I find I get a lot done in the morning. By mid-afternoon I want a nap, but at least I’ve accomplished a few things. I think you are totally right about that ‘blue light’ thing!
BTW, in all fairness you should know I don’t have little children now. Mine are all adults and only 2 live at home, so other than the 2 days I have to go to work in the morning, I have the luxury of reading in bed. I could even sleep until 10 or later, but I agree with you–it’s a bad idea!
I so agree! I have five kids, four under seven years of age. The days when I get up late and don’t stick to the routine are the hardest days. I also found this summer to be really hard for me because I didn’t have the hard stops in my day, i.e. school drop off and pick up, to keep me on schedule.