Through My Eyes

I know that most of you reading this phrase will be able to relate. At the moment it seems like we are all pushed to the limit in our professional lives. And when we feel we have been stretched to full capacity we still can't go down.

I have been working exceptionally hard these past couple of months and most days I feel exhaustedI mean tired to the bone. Tired so that my eyes hurt and it hurts to move my chest to breathe.

My mind spins in circles because all I want is to just have eight hours of continued, uninterrupted sleep, but it just never happens. The minute my head touches my pillow, my mind starts racing. And then when I finally fall asleep four hours will have to suffice and I need to get up and do stuff.

I can't believe how many of my friends are suffering from insomnia. They just simply cannot switch off when its time for their sleep.

Am I the only one stuck behind the computer at 8pm? Working or maybe pretending that I am working just because it seems unheard of to retire early.

A lot of people I know are working real hard these days to make ends meet. It seems as if life has just became so much harsher.

The truth is that our needs keep on growing and our money is just not stretching as far as it used to and so we have to work harder and longer hours.

I know I am not alone. I have a circle of friends who lack sleep all the time - a group of human Zombies. They are all successful in their own right but they are all lacking their quota of daily rest.

I have read somewhere that poor sleep puts you at risk of serious medical conditions including obesity, heart disease and diabetes - and it also shortens our life expectancy. Research clearly shows that a solid night's sleep is essential for a long and healthy life.

Ok so there is good news.

And the good news is that there's only one way to compensate - that is getting more sleep.

So this week I want to announce Sleep Challenge.

Early bedtimes, no exception. Instead of a glass of wine, I will have a soothing warm glass of milk with raw honey.

I will wear my most comfy PJs, burn aromatherapy candles and read light motivational literature just before my bedtime.

Look I understand that my recovery process won't happen with a single early night. If I've had months of restricted sleep, I will have to build up a significant sleep debt, so I must expect recovery to take several weeks.

Join me in my quest to fight exhaustion.

Starting on a weekend, try to tack on an extra hour or two of sleep a night.

The way to do this is to go to bed when you're tired, and allow your body to wake you in the morning (no alarm clocks allowed!).

At first you can expect to sleep for as much as of 10 hours a night or more. After a while, the amount of time you sleep will steadily reduce to a normal seven or eight hours.

And most importantly avoid caffeine and energy drinks as a short-term pick-me-up. They may boost your energy and concentration temporarily, but can disrupt your sleep patterns even further in the long term.

You are welcome to share your insomniac remedies with my readersall comments are welcome.