Day 12. It's time to face something that might be keeping you fat, frustrated and fearful.
It's one of the easiest health issues to address. Yet NOT addressing it is practically epidemic, because we love to brag about not doing it! By not doing it, we say we "work hard" and "take no prisoners" and "do what's necessary." We are so gosh darn secretly proud of ourselves for this bad habit...
IT'S HARD TO LET THIS ONE GO.
What is it? Not getting enough sleep, baby. Sleep.
Watch the one-minute Fearless Living Boot Camp video now. (And if you haven't enlisted in Boot Camp yet, today's a great day to start! You can find the how-tos below.)
You gotta start sleeping. You know it. I know it. And it's TIME. It's the fearless thing to do. Really. It is. Fearless!
See, if you don't sleep, your brain doesn't work properly. Your cortisol levels get all out of whack... and that adds up to weight gain. Plus you're more likely to have accidents and feel defensive and fragile (without the emotional nakedness usually required).
Sleep is ESSENTIAL. IT IS REQUIRED. IT IS A MUST.
Now, I know some of you pride yourself in how little sleep you get.
I know. I used to be like you. I used to brag about how I only needed 4 to 5 hours a night. And then I crashed. And got fat. And felt like a loser. It lasted until I finally gave in to the luxurious sheets and quilted blankets that were calling to me. And I slept. For months. (I'm not joking!)
And you know what happened? I got my mojo back. Wahooo I did. (Look how cute I look with those sunglasses on! Come on... mojo city! Teehee!)
So it's time to Stretch, Risk and Die in the sleep department.
You know what I want? EIGHT HOURS.
I know that, for some of you, that is a D-I-E. I get it. So give me what you can...
Starting tonight, I want you to focus on your sleep regimen for the next two weeks (you knew that was coming), increasing it gradually each night until, by the end of the two weeks, you are up to EIGHT HOURS.
How are you going to do it? By creating a sleep ritual. (Again, a D-I-E for some of you.)
- Wash my face or take a shower. (This signals my body that we are switching modes.)
- Put on some hot water for Sleepytime tea. (This signals my body to relax.)
- Spray lavender on my pillow if I've had an extra-hard day (for deeper relaxation).
- Turn off the overhead light and slip into bed, bringing my tea with me.
- Read from a spiritual or meditative book. (This sends a message that all is well in my world.)
- Turn off my light the MINUTE I feel tired. THE MINUTE.
Your beddy-bye ritual may be something completely different, but please, for the love of god, create one.
Take note: Research shows that sleeping in a dark room increases REM sleep (the kind of sleep that's necessary so we can feel mentally strong).
So there you have it. YOUR CHALLENGE FOR TODAY.
You know the drill by now. Go to socialworkout.com/fearlessliving and give yourself some points. Is sleeping 8 hours a night a Stretch, Risk or Die for you? Grab those points, because they could help you WIN some super-cool stuff.
Everyone loves to win, right? (I love to win!) You could win my bestselling book, Fearless Living, or you could win THREE private one-on-one sessions with me, or my kick-butt Fearless Living Training Program. And of course, you'll receive the best gift of all: BECOMING FEARLESS!
To join the Boot Camp and log your fearless activity, use the Social Workout-powered widget just below. If you're a Facebook member, simply click the "Connect" button. To sign up with your email, cheer on your fellow enlistees, and to see all the inspiring commentary, go to the Boot Camp homepage!
If you know anyone who needs some more sleep, help them get it by sharing today's blog with them. It's time the world gets some rest. (And yes, you can still be motivated and passionate and get rest too! I'm talking to you, Richard Branson!)
Until tomorrow,
Rhonda
P.S. Don't forget: If you missed previous Boot Camp posts, you can catch them by clicking here, then just clicking the appropriate links.
For more by Rhonda Britten, click here.
For more on becoming fearless, click here.