Sleep Deprivation and other things health-related

Well good morning ... or should I say "bad" morning.
Do you ever have those nights that you just can't fall asleep? Well, I do, about once every couple of weeks. I have no idea why; but I surmise it has something to do with all the things I keep trapped in my head.
Anyhow, last night was one of those nights.
I last remember seeing the clock at about 3:30 a.m. Then, I awoke at my usual (sort of) 7ish.
I gotta tell you -- 3 1/2 hours is NOT enough sleep time for this girl.

Hey, I'm trying to save my beauty -- want to look my best AND feel my best. That's not gonna happen if I don't go to bed earlier and sleep peacefully. Now I know that some of my friends rely on handy helpers (you know, sleeping pills) but I don't want to do that. I'm very reactive, in fact, over-reactive to them.
So, I'm looking for alternative suggestions for when this happens. Please share with me what you do to fall asleep on those difficult nights. I'd welcome your feedback.

The bigger issue for us ... baby boomers.... is that we have a lot going on. Most of us work full-time, then we have all the rest of our responsibilities, which of course differ from person to person. Examples: kids, parents, health concerns, financial concerns. Yes, we're just like everyone else in the world -- stress. Maybe we're not taking the kids to school anymore, maybe we're shipping them off to college; but perhaps we're taking our aging parents to medical appointments and researching assisted living situations. I spoke with a client this morning. He's a very successful attorney AND he and his wife are raising grandchildren and having many challenges with that. Our lives are always full AND sometimes we can't sleep. End of sermon.

Point: How do we create the balance needed to take care of ourselves so we can take care of others? Think about it. We'll often return to this theme.
Have a great day, and if you're like me and need some sleep -- go to bed early tonight.
Thanks,
Ann

What a Day .... How to Manage it All

Good Afternoon,

Whew, I'm really back at work at the Desk of the Head Boomer ... one week into the new year.

Phones ringing, millions (not really) of emails. People are back!

I'm determined to complete this book I'm writing, but it seems the days fly with everything else.

I started with a breakfast meeting at 8:00, then conference calls at 11:30, 12:00, 1:30, 2:30, 3:00. Here it is now, just after 4:00 and I've got to leave soon for a 6:00 Networking meeting.

Did I write even one word in my book draft today? The answer would be NO.

Point: I'm in charge of my own schedule. I don't work for anyone but me... AND, I still don't seem to have time. We all need crash courses in stress/time management OR we need to make our calendars kinder and gentler ... to avoid burnout.

Would you believe that I have designed and teach a course called: How to Manage It All? How ironic. It's often said that we teach what we need to learn.

Is your life like this as well? We're all only human. Take some time. (Think I'll be quiet for a few minutes before charging off.) Take some deep breaths. It will all be perfect.

Tonight ... turn on the telly, kick your shoes off and watch the results of the nation's first primary. Should be really interesting and telling ... perhaps a predictor of who the 2 candidates will be.... and who the candidates "won't" be.

Happy viewing.

Catch you soon.

Ann

So Much for Discipline

Two nights ago, I declared in front of several other people that I would really take charge of my health and fitness. I further reiterated that I meant, I will eat healthier foods AND work out.

Well, yesterday, I worked out, with a friend. But, I made poor choices of food all day.

My ability to discipline myself is really poor.  I know I've been using food for comfort lately. It helped get me through the holidays (when I would feel lonely or sad).  And, about the working out thing, well these days, my lot in life seems to be to support the Sports Club with my money, but not use it. How very special of me.

A small digression:  I injured my knee several months ago, had physical therapy, etc. Well, it wasn't healing. I finally had an MRI and now know I have a torn Meniscus. I need to have surgery. But I can't have surgery without a "non-flying" time afterwards of at least 3 weeks. So, surgery won't happen til March. I'm free to exercise, but the doc says, "if it hurts, don't do it." I'm realizing it hurts, but keep trying.

You know what, though, I don't need to beat myself up AND I might practice more "self-love." Will I eventually get it together and lose those 20 pounds --yes!

Point:  I'm not any more perfect than anyone else -- I struggle with my own short-comings. As I tell others, I can practice loving myself as I am and being more gentle. 

Further Point:  Never, ever, ever give up on what you want. Get up, dust yourself off, and try all over again.

Happy dusting off and loving!

Have a glorious Sunday,

Ann

My crazy schedule

Good morning,

I didn't wake up until 8:30 this morning. Wow. Well, I was really tired last night.  I should explain.

I'm a night person. I frequently stay up til after midnight and sometimes I go to sleep and then can't sleep and get up and read or write. So, it catches up with me.

The point here -- I used to handle the weird sleep patterns better. Could it be that as I get "older" I need more sleep? Who knows. Since I refuse to admit getting older, I think I avoid the question.

But here's the important piece. Because I live the life I love -- I work for myself, set my own schedule... it doesn't really matter. I can sleep later in the morning. I can stay up later at night. Now don't get me wrong. I work a lot, and I love everything I do.

Point:  When you follow your dreams, live the life YOU want ... then your sleep patterns are yours to choose.

Ask yourself -- am I living life on my terms? Do I get up each day and do what I love? Is there something I need to think about changing in my world so that I can have that?

Happy Searching.

I could say TGIF -- but when you live the life you love, everyday feels like Friday, or Saturday or Sunday.

Have a great day.

Ann