Yourstrulyme

Nowadays, a good night’s sleep itself feels like a dream. I’ve been constantly rearranging my schedules and patterns to accommodate my changing lifestyle. And what has had the maximum impact is my sleep. For someone with poor awareness of my health, coming to this understanding definitely took time. Of course, this happened through keen observation—watching how my body responded to different days, my irregular sleep patterns, and my daily routines.

With changing times, responsibilities, and lifestyles, priorities keep shifting. In my school days, I was mostly on time for bed, thanks to my parents’ insistence. The control was never mine. The minute I stepped into college, the newfound freedom gave me all the control I wanted—including deciding when to sleep and what to eat. Late-night movies, chatting with friends, and burning the midnight oil during exams were the first steps in disrupting my sleep. Later on, work, morning cooking duties, and the added responsibilities of adulthood took the front seat, leaving very little room to prioritize health—especially sleep.

I have had enough exposure to giving priority to dietary patterns and exercise routines. But little did I know about paying attention to sleep. It turns out sleep is one of the most crucial factors influencing everything else. A little research gave me a glimpse into the strong interconnection between good sleep, good food, and regular exercise in leading a healthy life.

There was a week when I binge-watched a series on Netflix. I did nothing but immerse myself in the TV. Why? I wanted to kill time by staying awake and resisting my body’s need for sleep. There was no motivation to either consume or create useful content. That was a wake-up call—I did not feel good about myself. Changing everything all at once felt overwhelming, so I started with just one change.

For a short period that week, I decided to sleep on time—around 10 PM—and wake up at 7:30 AM. The difference in how I felt those days is what I wanted to share:

Better Emotional Control: There was a positive mindset throughout the day, like an inner voice motivating me. I am generally a little anxious about tasks, routines, and deadlines. On the days I slept well, I was noticeably better at managing my anxiety. Moreover, I found myself channeling my emotions calmly rather than reacting impulsively.

Improved Time Management: I noticed two key changes. First, waking up on time meant I had an entire day at my disposal. Second, I had the energy to focus and attend to my tasks, health, and relationships with complete commitment and joy.

More Energy: While mindset plays a major role, the overall energy levels were noticeably higher. I performed better at the gym, with the ability to push my boundaries both physically and mentally.

Regulated Eating Patterns: With a natural rhythm set for the day, my body attuned itself to a healthy cycle. My meal timings were perfectly regulated, and dinners could be early. Late-night cravings were no longer a concern.

Honestly, I haven’t been consistent with my sleep routines. This was more of a sample test, and I could definitely feel the changes within me. More than just sharing my experience, this serves as a reminder to myself to stay more disciplined, diligent and focused on regulating my sleep for long-term benefits.

Perhaps it’s time to wake up—literally and figuratively. Just by adjusting our sleeping habits, we can take a big step toward a healthier lifestyle. The rest will follow!