A Financial Planner's Guide to a Wealth of Sleep

Today we're talking about an investment that's priceless - your sleep. Here are five key strategies that could help you improve your sleep which directly influences your mindset, wealth, and health. 

1. Stick to a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Just like setting up automatic investing, setting a consistent sleep schedule you don’t need to think about can make life much easier.  Aim for the same bedtime and wake-up time every day, including weekends. This consistency helps regulate your body's internal clock or circadian rhythm, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up refreshed.  After a while your body may start waking up on its own, ready for a new day. 

2. Optimize Your Bedroom for Sleep

Your bedroom should be your sleep sanctuary. Make it dark with blackout curtains or an eye mask, cool with a temperature around 60-67°F, quiet, perhaps with some white noise or earplugs, and comfortable with a good mattress and pillows.

3. The 3-2-1 Rule

There are lots of different opinions on this out there, but here are some basic things you could try: 

• 3 hours before bed, stop eating food.  Digesting food creates body heat, and your body needs to cool down to fall asleep.  Not eating right before bed can also help maintain a healthy metabolism and regulate your hormones. 
• 2 hours before bed, stop working and stop drinking liquids.  Not working can help your brain start to relax and prepare for sleep.  Avoiding liquids can reduce the amount of times you use the bathroom in the middle of the night. 
• 1 hour before bed, no more screens.  The blue light emitted can trick your brain into thinking it's daytime, suppressing melatonin production - the hormone that helps you sleep. Instead, engage in calming activities like reading a book or listening to soothing music. It's like not checking your stocks obsessively before bed; give your mind a break.  And if you wake up in the middle of the night, don’t look at the clock or your phone! Looking at the clock can create anxiety about how much sleep you are getting or not getting, and looking at your phone may stimulate your brain. Both of these could make it hard to get back into a drowsy state. 

4. Establish a Pre-Sleep Routine

Your nightly pre-sleep routine could involve a warm shower, some light reading, or practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga. This signals to your body that it's time to wind down and prepares your mind and body for rest.  If you don’t get it perfect every night, don’t stress.

5. Incorporate Physical Activity into Your Day

Regular physical activity can dramatically improve your sleep quality. However, timing is crucial!  Avoid vigorous exercise too close to bedtime as it might energize you instead of calming you. Morning or afternoon workouts are ideal and can help regulate stress and enhance sleep. 

Conclusion

Good sleep is one of the greatest investments you can make in yourself so that you can have a clear mind and the vitality needed to accomplish your goals. Like managing your finances, it requires discipline, strategy, and patience.  Experimenting with these rules above can yield immense benefits in health, productivity, and overall well-being.  

The information in this blog post/video is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or lifestyle.

 Sources

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