The Night Owl.... #5



A night owl on the loose at La Casa Henriques


Hands up if you are a night owl...the kind of person who enjoys the solitude of the night. 




As you can see from the red toes above, I am a night owl....from way back.

Unfortunately, this does not sync well with my new morning regime.

It became crystal clear when Mr. H messaged me this morning to ask what happened to my morning routine. Apparently, I was still sleeping and he was on his way to work. Darn night owl.

My evening routine has to change. As luck would have it, I came across this article today...  "10 Things to Do Before You Go to Bed" by Lidiya K.  I discovered it on 'Pick The Brain...Grow Yourself' website. Worth checking it out if you enjoy positive reinforcement.

I like this article because it goes beyond the usual suggestions for unwinding before sleeping....bedding, room temperature, lavender scented pillows etc.. It doesn't help to do all that and have your brain on high alert. Following some of these steps will help me to slow it down... 



by Lidiya K. 
with added commentary by me.

1. Walk..
A little night time stroll 
is a great way 
to clear the mind, 
no matter the length of time. 
I like cycling too..

2. Assess your day..
 Ask yourself, how did it go? 
As planned? 
Would you do somethings differently? 
I suggest adding it to your journal. 
Could make for interesting reading 
over coffee in the morning.

3.  Read..   
I like to read before going to bed. 
Digital reading of any type is a no no...
which is a challenge when you read on a Kindle.
I will have to work on that.

4. Meditate..   
I do not have much luck with meditating, 
I can never figure out where I am suppose 
to empty my mind to, but I do find 
that slow, deep, thoughtful breaths 
make a world of difference.

5. Unplug..
Turn it off, silence it all, 
to avoid sleep interruptions. 
That's easy...until the
roosters starts to crow.

6. Affirmations... 
Whatever you want or need to do. 
You can do it.
Remind yourself of that, 
every day.

7. Journal  
I keep my journal close at hand
and often find writing before bed helps.
Unless I start writing blog posts...
especially 28 days worth.

8. Plan your next day..
Start your day on the right foot, 
especially if you are a morning person. 
I am a list person, every task, 
no matter the size goes on a list. 
I often reorganise and write the list again. 
I love that feeling you get after crossing something
 off your list. Puts pep in your step...
and lets you breathe more deeply.

9. MIT's 
MOST IMPORTANT TASKS..
I like this one. 
Break it down, big task, small task. 
Being a visual person, 
I like to use the mind map technique.
It helps put it all into perspective.

10. Thank.. 
Think of all the things that you were grateful 
for in your day and then hold that thought.

I have elaborated on the ten steps, 
you can read the full article by Lidiya K. here


I will add one more, that is a personal favourite.
Sleepy Time Tea by Celestial Seasonings.




On that note..
I am getting to bed early tonight,
I have ten steps to get onto 
and tea to brew.

Signing off from Saigon...
Good Night and Be Well my friends.

Jeanne ;)



PS..
How do you rate on the Night Owl scale?
Any sleeping tips that work for you?




Feb 5, 2015
28 Day Writing Challenge, #5

Writing from Chateau Mango
Vietnam time

Comments

  1. Jeanne, I too am a night owl, I mentioned that in one of my previous comments. I love the still of the house and the comfort of knowing that my husband and pups are snug in their beds while I read, think, write and do nothing.

    I would love to be a nocturnal baker but I am afraid I would have three helpers lapping at my feet.

    I love this list but I have to be honest at 48 old habits are hard to break. I think I may end up a tired morning person as well as a night owl!

    Have a great week Jeanne! Thank you for the tips!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A nocturnal baker...I love that Elizabeth! I think you may have a new blog in that one. I totally get the night owl vs. morning person quandary. It's all a matter of balance. It sounds like you have it just the way you like it. Perfect! have a wonderful weekend Elizabeth! xx

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  2. Well, Jeanne, I'm a night owl, too. Just can't seem to give up the day, even if I'm watching the same episode of "Murder She Wrote" for the hundredth time. And now, they're showing reruns of "Hart to Hart" (one of my favs) beginning at 1:00 am. However, I'm a morning person, also, as I don't require much sleep. Evenings are when I dream and mornings are when I try to make those dreams a reality. Go with whatever makes you the most productive and happy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So true Cleo....I feel pretty good if I manage five hours of sleep, possibly six. I just don't know how people can sleep eight. Those TV shows are a big draw...gosh, "Hart to Hart"..I loved that show!
      Happy Viewing Cleo! :)

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  3. Well, I have NEVER been a night owl so canNOT help YOU in that DEPARTMENT!I have been TIRED my ENTIRE LIFE!No problems hitting the pillow..........
    I made a list yesterday and by the end of the day had a line through each item!YOUR RIGHT it FEELS GOOD.............YOU DO so MUCH and READ even MORE.......YOU really AMAZE ME!PLUS,you have a loving caring husband..................ME TOO!Except the other night I went to see a movie with a friend and did not have fresh bread for his lunch the next day!!!He is still MIFFED with me..............am I a bad WIFE?!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HA! You are not a bad wife Elizabeth...your ITALIAN HUSBAND is the LUCKIEST MAN alive! Jeez...I can't let Mr. H read this one, he will never let me forget that you make him fresh bread! I received your email and will respond shortly...love hearing from you any which way. Best wishes for a WONDERFUL WEEKEND! xx

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  4. These are fabulous suggestions and something I MUST try - I have such trouble sleeping AND getting up in the morning. I need to follow your lead. Enjoy the rest of your week, Jeanne! xoxo

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Sandy...fingers crossed for me that it lasts more than a week. ;) Happy Weekend! xx

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  5. Jeanne, I love finding your posts in my morning mailbox as it always seems like hearing from a friend. I admire your commitment. I promised I'd write something in my gratitude journal every day, but I've not even done that.

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    Replies
    1. Thank yo Linda, a lovely thing to say and I feel the same way. Many of us have been on this blogging journey for a long while. I love that about blogging. Best wishes for a lovely weekend.. :)

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  6. I'm a very confused person as I like being both(early riser & night owl), but I require too much sleep to allow it. So, the majority of nights, I shuffle myself off to bed before I'm ready, but those deep, quiet nights are serene.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jeanne I have always been a night owl. But then I started to have trouble sleeping. Lack of sleep is so debilitating, when I recognised that my problem was not in the not sleeping, but calming down my overactive mind I knew I had to change a few things. I worked towards going to bed earlier and getting up earlier plus meditating. I learnt Vedic meditation where you don't have to empty your mind, that would be impossible for me, you focus on a mantra. It has all helped, my morning routine is not quite a habit yet, there are days it doesn't happen particularly when I have been up in the night. But I have moved on from where I was. Keep going it is not instant. Have you read Arianna Huffington's book Thrive, you would find it very interesting she talks about sleep a lot and prioritising sleep into your life.
    Well done on your 28 day writing challenge :) Gillian

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  8. Yes, I too am a night owl, usually get my second wind around 11:00 pm and, instead of going to bed, start doing something or other. Then I glance at the clock and can't believe it's way after midnight - but then HAVE to read, even if just a few pages of whatever real book I'm on, before turning out the light and heading to dreamland!

    Great list - thanks for sharing Jeanne.
    Mary x

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  9. No -- not a night owl. Unless by accident when something wakes me in the wee hours hours ( too much alcohol or children worries) and I then prowl the house looking for distraction. Bedtime for me is reading time snuggled down with whatever is currently on the go and oblivion until I rise before the lark!
    Love the thoughts Jeanne and hope you get this comment.
    Ceri x

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  10. Have you tried Celestial Seasonings Sleepy Time Tea with Vanilla Jeanne?
    I'm enjoying that as my late evening / bedtime soother at the moment.

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