Does Sleeping Make You Broke?

Does Sleeping Make You Broke?

50 Cent famously said,

“Sleep is for broke people.”

Is 50 Cent, right? The Bible even warns sleepy-heads against taking too many naps.

“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest. Then your poverty will come as a robber and your want like an armed man.” Proverbs 24:33

As an early riser myself, I love 50 Cent’s quote, but my philosophy is different from Mr. Get Rich or Die Trying especially now after reading “Sleep Smarter” by Shawn Stevenson.  I think this was the first book about health, especially on sleep that I’ve ever read.

When I decided to read Sleep Smarter I was hoping to get a few tips on improving my sleep since I wake up at 5 am daily (almost) and sometimes feel wiped out by 6pm.

But after reading this, I feel like I just earned a university degree in nutrition, sleep, and health management. Shawn blew my mind!

I’m a big fan of practical advice but Shawn Stevenson took things to another level by making this book so comprehensive, yet so fun to read. His great sense of humor is sprinkled throughout this book. I learned a ton about health, food, exercise and how all these things are impacted by sleep.

The three most important things I learned are:

1. Sleep is critical to our overall health from brain function (memory and focus) to athletic endurance, our hormone balance and so much more.

2. The quality of our sleep is more important than the quantity of sleep.

Sleep Smarter can easily be called “Live Better.” I wrote down a bunch of notes from this book, but to help me focus and take action on the most relevant, practical, and realistic tips here’s my list of action items.

Some of these things won’t make sense unless you read the book. These are my 10 action items to optimize my sleep and overall health based on advice from the book. I’m only sharing this to hold myself accountable but feel free to use whatever makes sense to you, but get the book.

1. Shut down all screens at least 20 minutes before going bed and replace with it with reading or talking to my wife. (TRYING…)

2. Go for a short walk and or hold meetings outside when possible to increase exposure to sunlight. (STARTED)

3. Install Flux on my computer to turn down blue light (and consider using blue light blocking glasses when possible.) (Installed Flux)

4. Take magnesium supplements. ( Not doing consistently)

5. Keep my bedroom as dark as possible when sleeping.(STARTED)

6. Practice breathing exercises in the morning for 3 to 5 minutes. (Doing occasionally)

7. Go to sleep within 15 minutes of the same time each night. (TRYING…)

8. Lift heavy weights at least once per week. (DOING)

9. Don’t use my computer or smartphone in the bedroom. (I’m struggling with this one.)

10. Don’t talk about work in the bedroom. (In progress)

Oh and here’s the 3rd most important thing I learned. I disagree with 50 Cent. 

Sleep makes you rich since health is wealth.  The goal to maximize sleep and use it to support our overall health instead of just oversleeping. I heard Shawn say that all things being equal, sleep is the thing we can control which has the biggest impact on our health.

How is the quality of your sleep?

Blood Pressure, Blogging, and 5AM

Blood Pressure, Blogging, and 5AM

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I can’t remember when I started waking up at 5AM, but it’s been my routine now for almost two years. It took a while to get used to this, but now I love it. It’s a habit now. My morning routine is usually something like this:

  • Wake up at 5AM
  • Get dressed
  • Read a positive affirmation ( I got this one from Zig Ziglar)
  • Drink a glass of water (for hydration)
  • Sit quietly for 5 minutes of focused breathing
  • Read the Bible for 20 minutes
  • Pray for about 5 minutes (sometimes I fall asleep or get distracted)

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