Sleep

Sleep is one of our most basic needs that far too many people either deprive themselves of or simply don't get enough of. I know that I, especially as an insomniac, definitely don't get as much sleep as I should be getting. Without adequate sleep we are essentially functioning at a lower capacity than what we could be. Being an insomniac, while it isn't necessarily my fault, is a condition that I do have the resources to combat. There are so many methods of treatment available to aid me in sleep that being an insomniac really isn't a very good excuse for not getting enough sleep. When I don't get enough sleep, I suffer from all sorts of negative consequences. I can't focus, I have lower energy, I tend to have more negative thinking patterns, and I am much more easily frustrated even by the smallest of inconveniences. I'm just not happy when I'm not well rested. I'm not myself, I'm not running at my full potential, and it's just a bad experience overall. Sleep is essential, plain and simple. In todays society, we unfortunately think of burning ourselves out as a sort of badge of honor. We think that it's a good thing to run ourselves ragged, when that should definitely be something to be frowned upon. During college, I, like many people, pulled all night study sessions from time to time. I would go to one of the university study centers with all my books, my computer, and a bunch of coffee, and I would hole up the whole night working on whatever paper or project that was daunting me at the time. In retrospect, budgeting my time better and not punishing myself by staying up all night would have definitely led to me doing better work and feeling better at the same time. Although I would have liked to do things differently, I can't change the past, but I can change the future. I can be consistent with my sleep schedule, take the medicine I need to combat my insomnia, and use being well rested as a sort of foundation upon which I can build a better and more productive life. Get some rest so you can be the kind of person you know you can be.