Don't Lose Sleep Over It
Last night we were invited, as it happens every year, to set our clocks forward at 1am. Most people I know, myself included, just doesn’t like losing the hour of sleep –even though they feel excited to have the sunset later and later.
With all the current writing about how important sleep is, certainly it can be a challenge to lose the sleep and still feel good in the morning.
Over the winter, I have been appreciating the dark afternoons and long nights. Given that I have been prioritizing sleep, and thankfully sleeping very well and very long, the idea of losing an hour wasn’t pleasant.
How does this relate to what I tend to write about –-needs based living?
Changing the clocks is a strategy to meet needs –having nothing to do with sleep.
Sleep (rest, rejuvenation) is a need.
One of the things at the core of nonviolent communication is the idea that there are many strategies to meet needs. It gives me great relief and freedom remembering that as I navigate life choices and relationships. I’m pretty creative when it comes to thinking of strategies to meet needs.
My plan last night was to meet my need of receiving a good 8+ hours of sleep and live at the same time as everyone else.
My strategy worked well.
I turned the clocks ahead early in the evening. I think it was 5pm. I moved the time to 6pm. I have 8 clocks in my house that I change manually. I just followed the clocks and went to bed at my regular time (which tends to be earlier than most). I was able to fall asleep easily and my good night’s sleep remained in tact. It was a bit later in time when I arose well rested.
I think my idea is brilliant. Who came up with changing them at night when we want sleep? Perhaps next year you will take matters into your own hands as well?
Epilogue: It turns out that I can fall asleep during daylight as well. Yet it isn’t as much fun. As someone whose rhythm is related to the light, going to sleep when it’s light out doesn’t quite match up. It seems like I could be missing something.