Rest that is! Many of us short-cut our bodies on the rest that is needed to restore and refresh us. We’ve all had those events or evenings when we just can’t get in the 7 to 8 hours we need. We are groggy or short-tempered the next day but we live. That is the challenge with our immediate gratification society. Our bad habits don’t do us in immediately. If we were unable to function the next day without our 7 to 8 hours of sleep, we would hold that sacred. If eating fatty, high cholesterol fast food immediately sent us to the emergency room, well we wouldn’t do that either. Instead these poor habits seemingly don’t make a difference in our everyday existence. Yet when they do, we pay attention.
At a recent dressage clinic, my horse Usache and I had the first ride at 7:30 a.m. We are early risers so this fit our routine just fine. As we started out I noticed that my body felt stiff, something unusual for me. We proceeded with the warm-up and clinic but Usache and I never seemed to be in rhythm, and the video of the ride confirmed this. Toward the end the instructor suggested we stop a little early as I looked particularly hot. I was ready to continue on, ever the competitor, but suddenly the blackness began to creep in from my peripheral vision. Yes, I was about to faint. We stopped; I dismounted and was able to make my way to water and a rest while the trainers walked my horse out. What had happened? I ride like this 5 days per week.
The evening before my husband had been up late at home on international business calls. Although I had gotten to bed at my usual time, I was unable to sleep, knowing he was supposed to be next to me. The result was only 5 hours of sleep and the impact showed visibly the next day. I now carefully guard my 7 to 8 hours of sleep, knowing that it is highly crucial to top performance and my safety.
Our lives aren’t perfect and events on occasion will interfere with our good habits. For those who are continually and intentionally short-cutting needed rest consider this your wake-up call!