Wrestling with complexity is tiresome. As much as we enjoy seeing protocols, stacks, and other prescriptions, these are options for us to investigate, not requirements set in stone. Take the frequent exhortation that, in order to get proper sleep, one must stop eating three hours before sleeping—and space out that time out even further for better sleep results. Using a sleep measuring wearable, the only days I don’t hit 100% sleep are travel days. However, if I don’t eat something within an hour of sleeping, I will wake up in the night hungry, wrecking my sleep.
There are many podcasters who utter “we must do” proclamations. These are appealing as we all would like a clear answer to what is best for us. The way we move toward being a better version of ourselves is to understand ourselves better while staying open to new information that may help us. Eating sooner may be wonderful for some people, and you may want to try that. But, if it doesn’t, let it go. Please do not blame yourself for it not working or force yourself to double down to make it work. As any medical doctor will tell you, we are all different.
On the topic of sleep, I say, “Don’t crash the plane”, meaning create a quiet, peaceful time for a mental wind down before bedtime. This can mean anything from a long bath to rom-com television to online shopping to shooting basketball hoops. The range of ways I have heard people prepare for sleep is vast. If you have figured out what works for you, keep doing it; otherwise, try something new. I have been experimenting with removing tension from my body by doing 5–10 minutes of stretching before bed. If I stretch, my sleep efficiency (time in bed while not waking) will be in the heroic range of around 93%. If I don’t stretch, I’ll wake up more frequently.
What absolutely, 100% will not work for me is trying to sleep while being famished. While there is nothing wrong with trying any of the recommendations you hear, remember that they are merely suggestions to be worn like a loose garment, not edicts that must be followed. Information is constantly changing, and staying open to what may be helpful to you is a good idea. The exception here is if anything suggested may have a medical impact. Example: You have a heart condition and have heard cold plunges are great—maybe ask your cardiologist first. Just because some researcher proclaims miraculous findings does not mean it will work for you. We are complex beings living in a dynamically complex world. As has been said many times, life is a long process of getting to know ourselves and making the best of what we find.
Onward and upward,
David
