The One Resolution I'm Setting This Week

I hate to admit it but I am crawling my way into this new year.

I know we're all expected to hit the ground running on January 1st. Literally and figuratively. Equipped with new gym memberships and planners. Full of resolve to accomplish new goals and check off all the items carefully written in our new planners. Giddy with excitement of new possibilities. Brimming with vim and vigor. But, come on y'all...

I'm not gonna lie. I have a new planner and this goal-setting journal. I've done the meditations to release 2021 and lit candles while setting intentions for 2022. I have pictures saved and ready to print for my vision board. I know what my goals are. I've envisioned how I will feel when I achieve them. I've written action steps. But, the only action I want to take right now is getting in my bed and going to sleep.

Vim? I don't know her

Vigor? Why hast thou forsaken me?

For the past few weeks, I, like many of you, have been running around trying to make the holiday season magical for loved ones. I have been shopping and cooking for said loved ones more than I am accustomed to. I have ~~endured~~ enjoyed the company of loved ones who would normally be at work or school. I have washed and twisted hair, written reports, and remained available to my clients. And you know I couldn't go into the new year without cleaning every corner of my home and laundering every piece of clothing.

I. Am. Tiredt.

I love new beginnings. I love goal setting. I love fresh starts. But I cannot start fresh with the same old fatigue.

My sleep has been all over the place. Without the regularity of work and school schedules, I've been staying up too late, sleeping in, and napping at odd times. I haven't been getting the sleep I need and I certainly want more. And I bet I'm not alone.

Sleep Deprivation

In the United States, 70% of adults report getting insufficient sleep at least one night a month, and 11% report not getting enough sleep every night.

Sleep coach AG educates clients about sleep deprivation. He states, "it means lack of sleep and not giving our body enough sleep to do what it needs to do to keep all the systems running at their best or even running at all." He asserts, "We need sleep like we need food or like we need water. So we can think of sleep deprivation like being malnourished or like being dehydrated."

Studies show that sleep deprivation can:

lead to increased blood pressure
suppress the immune system
impact blood sugar levels
impair reasoning
decrease problem-solving skills
lead to or worsen depression and anxiety
impair self-regulation

I don't want that. I don't want any of that. Besides, I couldn't possibly achieve any of my goals under those conditions.

Parental Sleep Deprivation

Lack of sleep affects the whole family. Parent-child relationships may suffer. Research on parental sleep deprivation reveals:

Sleep deprivation reduces facial expressiveness. It is more difficult to express happiness when overly tired.
Following a night of sleep deprivation, people speak less positive words, more negative words, and fewer total words. Their voices were also described as "more monotone."
Sleep-deprived people appear sadder. Young children whose parents appear sad or "flat" tend to mimic these expressions.

I cannot afford to become sleep deprived. As someone with multiple mood disorder diagnoses, I have to take rest and sleep seriously. My physical and mental health depend on it. As do my relationships with my family. This week, the only thing I resolve to do is honor my body's current need for more rest. If you are feeling tired, I encourage you to do the same.

So, when you send those babies back to school, see if you can sneak in a nap. Skip the TV shows and go to bed a little earlier. These goals are just gonna have to wait. Resolve to put your well-being first.

What's your relationship with rest and sleep like? Did you set New Year's resolutions? Do you feel pressure to start working on new goals now? Let me know in the comments below. And join us on the Facebook page.

Categories: : Family Wellness