The Efficiency Proposal

This is the first post in the “Health” series at The Efficiency Proposal.

It is the goal of all human beings to live a less stressed life style. The day where they can shoe away responsibility and work is the day that is far off for most of us, but it doesn’t need to be.

If your getting under six hours of sleep a night consistently you may want to reconsider what you are doing wrong. It can be simple, like roaming the internet too long or it can complex, like pushing yourself too hard to work.

The main component of a healthy lifestyle is to recognize your positive habits and get rid of your negative ones. As a general rule, you want to stay away from sugar two hours before you go to sleep. While most of us are indulged by having a midnight snack, those who are disciplined enough will go to their bed.

It is paining to hear about the troubling nights sleep someone had because they hit the pillow too late. It’s an absurd thought to think that we have not programmed in our head that sleep is a necessity.

1. Stop procrastination

When your wondering why you have wasted most of your evening while you were talking to a friend, you must have asked to yourself how you were going to kick this time waster known as procrastination. It’s the habit that appears so much in the American lifestyle. Whether it is your kids needing your attention or a “must take” phone call, you have to learn that what ever your doing is not as important as what you should be doing. If you are on the computer, turn off the internet. If your writing, clear your workplace. Adjust to your surroundings.

The concept is simple: the more time you procrastinate, the less sleep you attain. The less sleep you attain, the more tired you will be in the morning. It’s your choice: Less sleep, more tired or more sleep, less tired. The former will result in ill happenings and wrongdoings whereas the latter will bring forth more energy for the day ahead.

2. Play relaxing music

Music is an art that not only dictates our attitude, but also our personality. The type of music you play reflects on your mind and what it wants to do. The reason the iHome (by Apple) is such an effective product is because it shifts the gears in your mind from the second you wake up. When you go to sleep, however, you want to hear calm, soothing music like Jack Johnson and John Mayor.

3. Create a to-do list

This is related to stopping procrastination. If you are going to stop procrastinating you have to have a plan for what you’re going to do. Put a deadline on each item you have to get completed. For every day, week, or month that you successfully do tasks for, reward yourself. Something like a fancy dinner at one of your favorite restaurants or taking yourself to a concert you really wanted to see. To-do lists aren’t just for grocery shopping, they can be for managing your sleep as well! If you are looking for an online to-do list check out Remember the Milk.

4. Use a spreadsheet

Track the number of hours you sleep each night to come up with a general consensus on how you need to adjust your program. Don’t sell yourself short. If you’re not being honest with yourself the only person you are lying to is yourself.

Set up a three column Excel sheet, the first column for the date, the second for the approximate time of sleep, and the third for how well your sleep went. Although this task can seem difficult to keep up, once you get into a routine it becomes quite simplistic. You’ll know how to make the appropriate adjustments after a while to make sure you get your necessary sleep.  Keeping a log is motivation to do better.

5. Find a partner

Two brains are better than one. When you two people devote their energy to one task it usually gets done quicker and easier. When there is a marathon takes place, runners cheer for runners during the race. It is because they are each going through the same task. If they root each other on, it’s more likely they will succeed.

Most people understand, but can’t except, the fact that they need rest. It’s part of the mind to think that they can fight off sleep with vigor, but in actuality, they are quite wrong. Every person needs a time where it’s body can relax for a certain amount of time.

What is that certain amount of time? I have read that the amount of sleep one needs is like the equivalent to a shoe size. It’s different for everyone. Some can get a quality sleep out of just six hours of sleep, while some it takes ten hours to get the same result.

Rest is one of the single most important factors in a persons day to day life. It controls your social life, thinking ability, and physical presence. A lack of sleep is like more alcoholic consumption. The more you drink, the less knowledgeable you will be about your general surroundings. The less sleep you get, the more consequences will boil to the surface.