Re-Thinking Habits

Brain Fog.  Stress.  Sleeplessness or Insomnia.   We've all had bouts of these things, and others like them.  And they can all be related in one way or another.  I've been experiencing that a little bit this week, and I'm tracking my food and my sleep to see if there's a pattern.  (Besides the fact that I'm just getting old!)

I've found my most stressful day of work is Monday.  And after work, there's nothing I like better than to come home and binge out in front of Netflix.  It doesn't even matter if I'm watching "Friends" or "Frasier" ... and eat carbs.   Ahh, the stress relieving food for me.  If I had my way, I'd come home and have creamy peanut butter on toast, with tortilla chips.  A simple and very satisfying meal!  I try very hard to stick to my meal plan, however, of chicken and brown rice, with broccoli and cauliflower.   Tuesday is my busiest day at work when it comes to actual work to be done.  And the stress is only an added factor when The Bosses attempt to get me to do something outside of my normal duties.

Of course, a lot of the stress, brain fog and sleeplessness are caused by the weather here in the desert.  It's not a good start to the day when you head out for your morning walk at 5am and it's 90 degrees before the sun even rises.  (Hurry UP September!  I know I shouldn't wish my life away, but some days the heat makes me think crazy things!)

I think I've found a solution to some of this.  I made a change in my electricity plan where I use appliances and such as little as possible from 3-6pm.  Paying a cheaper rate in the off hours, like overnights, means I can lower my thermostat to a cooler setting, and maybe that will help with the sleeplessness.  I also learned to keep a squeeze bottle of water next to my bed.  If I'm feeling overheated at night, I just squirt some water on my Tshirt and/or my hair.  With the overhead fan on, it cools me off until I fall back asleep.
It's the little things, right?


I'm beginning to think that I need to change up my supper menu for something lighter, something cooler, maybe some chilled fruit, or a cold turkey sandwich would be better in the heat of summer. Or ice cream. Yeah.  That might be the ticket!  *scoffs*  I'd have to triple my time on the treadmill, though!

I started thinking about all these things because just before 5pm, I found myself looking at the clock, wondering if it was too early to crawl into bed.  *yawn*  Sure, I could do that, fall asleep even, but I'd be awake and ready to head to work at 3am.  Not a good plan.

Sorry for the ramble, but I find that writing out my thoughts helps me organize them, which can lead to those "A-ha!" moments, or at the very least, clarification of issues.

Here's hoping for a good night's sleep!