Happy HolidayZzzz
Have you heard the saying, “You know you’re a grown-up when a nap is no longer a punishment, but a reward?” Recently, I’ve finally been learning what that means.
I had a lot of energy as a child. I was one of those kids. It was very difficult in school because I was a bit hyper. Learning wasn’t easy. All I wanted to do was run around. I don’t remember it, but my mom did put me on Ritalin for a stint. But she said it turned me into a zombie, so she decided to keep me the way I was.
Growing older and crazier, I found that participating in many activities kept me more balanced.
Juggling student council, debate club, sports, music and a part-time job during high school, I didn’t really have time to do anything but get it all done.
It’s still like that today. I’ve accepted that I just have a lot of energy. Other people react to this in both positive and negative ways. That’s life.
Sleeping is a luxury, and one I try to make the most of as often as possible. There are habits you can form to improve the quality of your dozing — and a few apps to help make that happen.
Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day is a great way to improve rest, but that might be out of some people’s control. Eating lighter toward the end of the day and avoiding caffeine, alcohol or nicotine at least four hours before sleep also may not be easy for some.
At the very least, your sleeping area should be a dark, quiet sanctuary with no distractions, like television, video games or a computer. Winding down before bed means no dramatic discussions or stressful activities, which trick your brain into staying alert. Try writing in a journal or meditating.
And while you’re snoozing, try Sleep Cycle, a very popular app that monitors movement utilizing the iPhone’s accelerometer. Each night, our bodies move differently depending on how deep we’re sleeping. Sleep Cycle’s alarm uses a half-hour period around your designated wakeup time to wake you in your lightest sleep, which is extremely beneficial.
You need to wake up at 6 a.m.? It will determine when is the best time in a 30-minute period between 5:30 and 6, to wake you with a soft, beautiful sound better than the symphony that woke Eddie Murphy in Coming to America.
If you want to get a nap in, it is best to do it as early in the day as possible. Some say napping, when done correctly, improves the performance of your body and mind. It is practiced routinely in Europe. Siestas heighten your creativity and release serotonin, reversing irritability and anxiety. I’m all about it.
There is a great Sleep Cycle sister app called Power Nap. It detects your motions the same way Sleep Cycle does (because who doesn’t sleep with their phone?) and wakes you from your nap when you are sleeping at the lightest point.
If you find that you’re anxious, or work and activities are overwhelming, or you feel low-energy, these apps could be your best bet!
@SUPERCW
Christa Wittmier is “SUPERCW” on all social media. Find her on Snapchat, Soundcloud, Twitter, Vine and Instagram. By night, she is known as DJ SuperCW. By day, she is known as senior marketing director for Young’s Market Company of Hawaii. Her nightlife blog SuperCity runs every Wednesday on HonoluluPulse.com.
