This is one of those things I’ve been in a tug-o-war with for quite some time. I almost have a handle on it, and then things change and my energy levels (and sleep) are all over the place.

I’m unfortunately getting less sleep per night again as I’ve tried to get back into my exercise routine, and that’s delayed my wake-up time to later to compensate, which then throws off my exercise routine because I almost always have to go to work in the mid or late afternoon. I also have pets that need care, I need to eat, and I have a house that needs a good cleaning.

I’ve seen a lot about sleep and have tried to take advice where I can. I’m starting to think trying to get a certain amount of base sleep each night isn’t the best approach for myself anymore… and I need to be more consistent with my wake-up time.

I just have to figure out the perfect time that would allow me the chance to get the most done in my day before work (or even on days off, let me just get a ton of things done in a reasonable amount of time). This morning, even though it’s my day off, I tried to sleep in a bit to compensate for my late arrival home last night from work… and now I’m convinced it’s not the best plan.

Well, now it’s past 1 p.m. and I haven’t exercised yet. I’m just getting my first meal and will have to wait a few hours to exercise so I don’t cramp up . I’m also a bit sluggish and sleepy as the coffee is wearing off & trying to get my multivitamins in. I gotta work hard to get past this laziness

I didn’t get out of bed til after 8am, and when I had my old schedule, that’s usually when I would’ve been in the middle of a workout session. Now, I let it slide, and though I’m getting a lot done, I’m annoyed and antsy that I haven’t done my workout yet, because the more tired I feel, the more I’m likely to persuade myself to skip it.

Some food in me, a power nap, and some research articles to wake me back up should help curb that… and the fact that I’m STILL in my workout gear, ready to go at a moment’s notice. The cat will join me, as she often does, because she likes running around in the rafters and napping up there.

The difficulty is getting the right amount of sleep. Some days I’m properly tired when I get home and maybe spend half an hour with the pets (after feeding them and taking them out to pee) and then I go to bed because my eyes are drooping. My body follows soon after. Sometimes my brain’s too wired and focused on a new project and I’m eager to get started, so I figure I’ll make lists or something to get it out of my head and on to bed. Then I’ll look at the clock and realize it’s 3 a.m. and I should’ve been in bed hours ago.

Thankfully, I recognize that this needs changing, because when I get GOOD sleep (not just a lot of it), I feel I can do anything. I don’t depend on coffee for my sanity as much, I don’t skip meals and cheat with junk out of desperation, I want to exercise, etc. There are two things that are making this rough:

1. Some nights I can leave by 10 p.m. Others I’m lucky to get out the door by 12:30 a.m. because of last-minute customers, issues with the paperwork or system, etc. which means my bedtime might be 11:30pm or closer to 2:30 a.m. because I’m just wired somehow.
2. I can’t figure out the best wake-up time in the morning. Too early and I’ll be exhausted when I have a late work shift; too late and I won’t be able to exercise, journal, or get much of anything done that needs it at home.

There’s a fine line there with wake-up times. When I worked my old jobs, my evenings out ended by 8:30 p.m., so getting up at 6 a.m. to work out was pretty easy to do… in theory. Some mornings I still wanted to sleep in and gave into the urge, but by 7, I was up.

Now, 6 a.m. is just not feasible anymore. And some days I have to go into work by 12:30 p.m. and work a 10 or 11-hour shift, which further shortens my morning. I’ve had that happen a few times the past few weeks, which is why I spent so much time adjusting my schedule.

So, now I’ve figured out 7 a.m. is going to have to be my wake-up. Not only are my parakeets up and going strong by then with their chirpy voices, but the sun is obvious even through my blackout curtains, and the dogs are restless. I aim to be ready to feed the furry ones and working out by 7:30. It may cut it close on early-arrival mornings, but I could always shorten my workouts.

The important thing is leaving myself time to DO some workouts, shower, eat something to fuel my day, and head on to work after taking care of the basics (and pet basics). It’s a work in progress, but the rest of this week will tell me if it’s right. If not, it just needs adjusting.