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The Stuff Behind The Stuff...                                  
                                    

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Organized? Keep Dreaming...

7/2/2018

8 Comments

 
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Getting additional sleep seems to be a theme in my work here lately. I’ve had at least three coaching calls in the last month where the client-created action ended up relating somehow to better sleep.

I’m all about good sleep - I have enjoyed snoozing for as long as I can remember. I was the first kid I knew who gave up Saturday morning cartoons in favor of staying in bed. I turn into a pumpkin by about 9:30 every evening, and I have to put people on notice that anything I might say or do after that time is not to be taken too seriously.

By the same token, I have had bouts of chronic insomnia for the past ten years, so I have a decent amount of amateur knowledge on the subject. If you've ever experienced insomnia, you know it can be absolutely crippling. In a word, it sucks. I’ve seen sleep specialists, been through a sleep study, etc., etc.  Thankfully most of the time it’s mild enough now to just be irritating as opposed to debilitating. But for a while there... 

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So there’s a clear difference between not being able to get enough sleep, and consciously choosing to not get enough sleep. Given my experiences, the latter scenario baffles me.

We know that lack of sleep impairs brain function, and experts tell us that drivers with sleep deprivation may be as dysfunctional as someone driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It affects the ability to make clear, rational decisions, and…hey, wait a minute...what do we know about organization and decision-making? Hmmmm.

When you have clutter and disorganization, it’s most often the result of poor or delayed decisions.
So when you make a choice to burn the midnight oil due to some misguided attempt to be productive, you’re probably contributing to that disorganization - not getting ahead on it. I’ve noticed more than once that when I work with someone who’s yawning their way through a session, the progress is sluggish and hit-or-miss. Thinking through whether or not you want to keep those early 2000s-era business suits, or how to store the collection of hotel keys you’ve been curating for the cool art project, becomes a much tougher proposition when the brain is not running at full speed.

And what if you’re not choosing to stay up late, but instead experiencing sleeplessness without an apparent cause? It’s more than worth it to examine and take steps to address the issue. The National Sleep Foundation has these tips for improving the quality of your sleep. Some other ideas my doctor gave me include:
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  • No TV or other screens in the bedroom. None.  
  • Any source of light, including a digital alarm clock, can cause issues. We cover ours up every night.
  • If you wake up, get up. Go somewhere else in the house and read (again, not on a screen) until you feel sleepy.*
  • Consistent bed and wake-up times, even on weekends, are important.
  • There’s a great little book, Five Good Minutes in The Evening, by Jeffrey Brantley, MD and Wendy Millstine, NC, that has some winding down routines that were super helpful for me. In fact, they still are.

Of course, if you’re really struggling, a trip to see your physician may be in your best interest. If you’re stalled on an organizing project or something else that requires your best regarding time management or productivity, take a look at what’s happening with your ZZZs. A tired mind does not play well with others, particularly when you’re trying to create new habits.



*My favorite insomnia book is my Third Edition of A History of Western Music by Donald Jay Grout. Nothing like a few paragraphs on Renaissance polyphonic motets to get me back to snoozing. 
8 Comments
Seana Turner link
7/2/2018 08:11:23 am

Not being able to sleep is my problem. I love the idea of sleep:) I agree with all your suggestions. Last night my AC failed, and in this heat wave, it was hard to sleep. Fingers crossed that I can get it fixed today, right?

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Sara
7/2/2018 09:05:25 am

Oh yikes - that's no fun! I hope you do indeed get it fixed quickly. I remember visiting relatives in the deep South as a kid, before they had air conditioning! I used to take a cold shower and then lie on the bed with a fan going full blast. I'm afraid it didn't help much. ;-(

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Julie Stobbe link
7/2/2018 12:54:51 pm

I am a big believer in sleep habits. I had them for my kids and they all slept through the night. I also have always gotten/needed 7 or 8 hours of sleep and usually make sure I get it. Thanks for link to the National Sleep association.

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Sara
7/3/2018 09:01:13 am

That's great that you've encouraged and supported the good sleep habits for your kids - so critical when they're growing. I think my ideal amount of sleep is probably closer to 8.5 hours, but I'll settle for 7. Thanks for the comment!

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Linda Samuels link
7/2/2018 01:08:11 pm

It's no fun not being able to sleep. I usually sleep well, but on those nights that I can't, it makes me nuts. Your tips are terrific and I'm sure will be very helpful to many people. I like being consistent with sleep times, although on the weekends, if don't have a reason to wake up as early as during the week, I like to wake without an alarm clock and when my body is ready. I did that this weekend and it felt wonderful...luxurious even.

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Sara
7/3/2018 09:02:56 am

I would probably sleep in more often if it weren't for my two furry alarm clocks, who are always spot on time with requesting their breakfast. ;-) Thanks for stopping by, Linda!

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Ellen Delap link
7/5/2018 06:23:40 am

I love your theme of sleep! I also share this theme with most of my clients in order for them to have good peace of mind and good brain function. In a recent article, I learned that both a very cool environment and a heavy blanket play a role in a good night's rest. The heavy blankets are also available as calming blankets (google it to learn more). It's the key to my good night's rest!

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Sara
7/5/2018 12:40:40 pm

Interesting - I do love cold sheets and my big down comforter. I've recently seen pillows that supposedly stay cold all night in stores, too. It would be nice to not be flipping them over all the time. :-) Thanks, Ellen!

Reply



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    Sara Skillen - Certified Professional Organizer®, Certified Organizer Coach®, wife, mom, dog-lover, author.  Learning to trust my intuition more every day. Shall we work together?

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