A Few Tips on Getting More / Better Sleep

Don't think sleep is important? Think again. Not only does getting the proper amount of sleep (at least 7 - 8 hours a night) increase productivity and concentration but a lack of rest can affect your metabolism, increase your risk of diabetes, and contribute to depression. 

As someone who once prided himself on bulldozing through the day on just a few hours of sleep, I've finally come to the realization that you don't lose time when you sleep. You actually gain it back in the increased productivity. Here a few quick tips on changing your sleeping habits.

1. Make the room you sleep in a "No Screens Zone." Get a $5 alarm clock if you use your phone to get you up in the morning. Laptops, smart phones, and anything that glows goes in another room so you can both avoid temptation (remember it's easier to avoid distraction than to resist it) and calm yourself before rest.

2. Try going to bed and getting up at the same time. Resist the temptation to get up if you can't sleep. Lay in your bed until your set time arrives. There's a good chance you'll eventually doze off if you give it enough time.

3. Have a cup of water at your bedside. Drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning is a good way to get your day going. Aside from the fact we need water to survive, drinking lots of water has a major effect on your energy and brain function. Drinking some water early in the morning can also help your body flush out toxins and fire up your metabolism. 

The Great Lessons of Travel

Shaky WiFi, waiting for water and power to be restored, and a glacial paced immigration line. These are all events I've had to wait for, while traveling. I'm embarrassed to admit I was also impatient throughout much of each ordeal.

But each incident made me take some serious personal inventory and appreciate the world does not work on my timetable. Through cultivating greater patience I also deepened my perspective. How could I complain when these minor hiccups in my journey wouldn't have even cracked the top ten list of challenges many of these communities faced on a daily basis?

Whenever traveling, whether near or far, remember to be endlessly curious, bold, and flexible enough in your thinking to reap the many lessons seeing this world has to offer you.