Aidan Parks

There are many changes in our lives that we probably want to make. But there is no better time to start these changes, then when the earth completes a full orbit around the sun. There is really no reason to start before that of course, its just simple science.

So this year I wanted to focus on one big thing, and put effort into that. My sleep. I felt that my sleep was often not as good as it could be, and it was effecting my mood, energy, and accountability. Those who have good mood, energy and accountability often enjoy life more than those without it. Therefore I felt it was a good goal to set.

So I did a little research into a few ways to commit to your sleep, and here is what I implemented. The first is trying to stay off screens 1 hour before bed. Scrolling instagram and tik-tok is actually not the best thing to look at before bed! Who would have thought. Easier said then done, because I love a good scroll. But 1 hour before bed, the phone is on the charger on the far side of my room, and not touched till the next morning.

The second thing is not eating before bed. You want to have your last meal about 4 hours before bed so your body is fully digested and your heart rate is low when it’s bedtime. So that’s what I do. It’s hard to get used to at first, and I definitely used to have a snack before bed, but after a few days you can get used to it.

The last thing is a wind down routine. My wind down routine is not the same every night, but it has a few staples. The main aspects are no screens, and things that calm my mind. First, I write in my journal. Theres not really a wrong way to journal, and I normally just write things about the day, anything funny on my mind, or just something random. Then I list three things that I am thankful for, just so that I remember that theres always something.

Then I have a going list of “Things That Rock,” where I list 10 things that rock in a specific category, like movies, websites, or duos. Last night I listed 10 snacks that rock. Again, just something that is simple and fun, while taking your mind away from all else but winding down.

Then I read for a little bit. I’m not much of a reader, and I find sitting down to read difficult. So I pick an easy to read book that is interesting and funny. Right now I’m reading a memoir by Colin Jost, known funny guy. I’ll read about a chapter and then get into bed.

Once I am in bed, I try to again not think about things like my problems, what I have going on in life, or how there are definitely aliens out there, and I wonder what they are like. I attempt to give a structure to my thoughts, so that my mind doesn’t wonder too much. I make a prompt like “Grade each NFL teams season,” or “Who will win the Masters this year.” Things that are just me thinking about things that aren’t real life things in my control, just things I am interested in. Then hopefully I fall asleep and stay asleep easy.

So far, in the short trial, I think that this has helped relax my mind, and improve my sleep. Which I think has risen my productivity and mood.