After months of feeling drained, tired and not getting much sleep, I knew my body clock was seriously needed a reset. I was using caffeinated and sugary pick me ups in the morning to get me going and needing a glass of wine to relax some evenings: all signs that my cortisol (the stress hormone) rhythm was out of sync.
We should feel awake and alert first thing in the morning and gradually less alert throughout the day. Instead, I was struggling to wake up in the morning and hyper alert in the evening. To top it off, the caffeine and sugary start to to get me going, was setting me off on the blood sugar and insulin rollercoaster, setting me up for sugary cravings throughout the day.
I knew I was chronically sleep deprived, hardly getting any sleep each night, my health was failing and I was no longer feeling healthy and vibrant. I needed a change, and came across the idea of a Sleepcation, which suggests taking a few days to a week to sleep as much as you need to. And perhaps best of all, it is free.
Ideally, if you enjoy camping, this optimal way to spend your Sleepcation, as it helps reset your body clock, but as it was a cold UK February, I chose to stay home. After just 3 days, my energy levels increased, my blood sugar levels were stabilising and people were noticing a change in my complexion. When I finished my week, I felt excited and inspired, back to my positive self and I felt renewed.
If you are thinking of trying a Sleepcation, here are some tips to get you started on your Sleepcation:
- Clear your diary, book time off work and don’t commit to doing anything during this time.
- Maximise your sleep environment: make sure your bedding is comfortable, supportive, clean and your room is the right temperature for you.
- Get rid of anything that shouldn’t be in the bedroom such as electronic devices, televisions and phones.
- In the evening, try candle light and himalayan salt lamps instead of standard lighting, this will help reset your body clock in the evening.
- Avoid electronic devices in the few hours before going to bed, which contain blue light which keeps you more alert.
- Get your room as dark as possible, black out blinds are great or even just adding a blind under your curtains could help.
- Have a bath before going to bed with Epsom salts (the magnesium is a muscle relaxant).
- Go to bed earlier than usual.
- Expose yourself to daylight during the day, and go outside for a brief period of time around midday, take a walk.
- Buy and prepare your food in advance when you can.
- Build up your sleep appetite by exercising during the day, but not anything too vigorous in the evening or you may find it difficult to get back to sleep.
- Get rid of the alarm and give yourself permission to sleep as long as you need to. Just be careful not to go to bed late and sleep in, otherwise you will just shift your sleep pattern.
Try these tips for a few days and ideally for at least a week and see how you feel. At the end of your Sleepcation you should find your body clock starting to reset and back to your “old self”, ready to experience your life fully present again.