I didn’t sleep as much as I’d hoped, last night.
I had a long day, and then I got home a little late from an appointment. It’s all good – and the appointment went well – but I didn’t sleep as much as I’d wanted to.
I got maybe 7 hours last night. It’s not enough. I needed 8. But I’ll take what I can get. Anyway, this gives me a head-start on the day. Waking up at 5:30 has its advantages.
I had meant to get in a swim, yesterday afternoon. I usually head to the fitness center at work around 2:00, spend about 20 minutes in the pool, then head back to work within the hour. It’s nice to step away, and also to really stretch myself when I’m swimming. The water feels great, and it’s so relaxing and quiet. I’m usually one of the only people in the pool at the time (unlike after work, when you have to wait for a lane). And it’s the perfect break to the day.
Sometimes, it really wears me out. I have some trouble coordinating my breathing, so I don’t usually do a crawl – I do backstroke and breaststroke, so I can control my face being above water. Sidestroke, too. and a bunch of other ways of getting through the water that don’t have names I know of.
Sometimes I swim with only my arms, keeping my legs crossed behind me. Sometimes I swim with only my legs, lying on my back and relaxing my arms as I flutter-kick my way through the water. It’s a good balance. And after a good workout, I get worn out and sleepy for the last few hours of the work day.
But that’s fine. I have a sip of coffee. I drink my water. I have a bowl of raisin bran. And I’m fine.
I sleep great, too. When I’ve had a good workout, I can just drift right off and stay asleep. Yesterday was a full day, with lots going on in my head. It’s all good, but it was brain-busy. And I didn’t sleep through the entire night.
Well, maybe tonight I will. I’m getting back in the pool today – no matter what. It’s a priority. Sleep is a priority.
Everything goes better with sleep.
Broken Brain - Brilliant Mind 
I have some words for people who complain about only getting 7 hours sleep but it’s probably not very polite. I’m lucky to get 5 & it’s broken into hourly increments. My only only exercise is walking on account of half my body not working. Occasionally I get to 4,000 in a day! Yay me! Then the next only 26……… Let me know when you will cope with my ‘words’……..I promise i generally deliver them with love. Cheers,H
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As I age I’m noticing that I seem to need more sleep, vs. the reduced need for sleep commonly reported. Even though the hours I am awake are greater in number than the norm, I have always been an 8-hour girl — but lately I seem to need 10. I never feel quite awake when I don’t get it. Some of that is hot weather brain-melt, I’m sure, but I second your point. Everything goes better with sleep.
The only regular exercise I get these days is walking my pup. Even though our walks are hilly, it isn’t exactly heart-pumping time since he loves to stop and sniff. I need to join a gym again. My body has always responded well to machine-based graduated resistance training, and that’s something I can do indoors, even when it’s far to hot to do much else. (I tend to be a lazy swimmer – and then there’s the redo the hair thing 🙂 )
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMore dot com)
– ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder –
“It takes a village to educate a world!”
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Well, keep in mind that for years and years, I didn’t get more than 3 hours at a time. This is a new thing for me, and I’m also under strict doctor’s orders to get at least 8 hours a night. At least you can get some exercise. For several years, I couldn’t, because I would get headaches. So, this is a welcome change from years and years of difficulty.
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That’s very interesting about your sleep. It’s good you’re getting some exercise, at least, and I agree about the weight machines. I do really well with them, too, and while we do have a 24-hour gym at work, I don’t actually use it that much. I should probably change that… I used to lift before I swam, but I got away from it, for some reason. Maybe because the gym always seemed so full, but the pool was so empty. Well, adjustments all around are good. Progress is good. Onward.
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So much to do – so little time that isn’t already occupied, right?
How did we do it all when we were younger? It seems I managed a great many more items back in the day.
Was life really simpler then? Did we have a great deal more energy – or did we simply do a half-a$$ job at things we do more completely now that we are older and (hopefully) more mature?
Whatever – I really need to move “gym” further up on my list. 🙂
xx,
mgh
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I’ve been thinking about that a lot, lately, myself. I think I did a half-assed job, and I didn’t have all the information I have now. When I think about doing things the way I did, 20 years ago, I cringe. And I remember to slow down. Because while on the surface it looks like we’re slower, we’re processing a LOT more information and experience, and coming up with very elegant solutions… which nobody 20 years younger than us realizes are elegant, I’m afraid.
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The kids may not realize the elegance of a thorough approach — after all, they think tweeting or texting is actually communicating 🙂 — but there’s no excuse for the managers and execs!
Like an ex-fiance used to say: “Fast, cheap and good. You can have any two of the three.”
And where good and fast are concerned, you’d better have the cash for ’round the clock TEAMS and a fabulous coordinator!
xx,
mgh
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Good Stuff!
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Thanks!
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Great post
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I agree everything is better with sleep!
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Thank you very much.
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Indeed. And if I’d gotten more sleep last night, my Friday would be that much better. But you do what you can with what you have, so…
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I enjoyed your post. Sleep is important to rebuild and recuperate. Swimming is a great exercise too as it works your whole body and is good on bad knees like I have.
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Thank you. Yes, I agree – swimming is great, if you have bad knees (or bad joints in general).
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