It’s been a long week. Although I did not attend the conference itself, I traveled to another city to attend events related to it for some consulting work I’m doing. The conference centered around an industry that attracts a lot of young people as both entrepreneurs and employees.
The business development and networking activities surrounding it were predictably loud and ended late. Coupled with an unexpectedly loud thunderstorm that passed through the area just as I was trying to go to sleep, well past my normal bedtime, I just didn’t sleep well last night. I’m home now and looking forward to a good night’s rest.
I feel off today. I’m tired and everything feels a little heavier; ordinary things, like motivating myself to get up and exercise, take more effort. It’s likely due to tiredness.
Sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining our mental health and well-being. It is during sleep that our brain processes and consolidates new memories, restores its energy levels, and flushes out harmful toxins. A lack of quality sleep can lead to various mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, irritability, and decreased cognitive performance. Sleep deprivation has also been linked to an increased risk of developing serious mental health disorders, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
I’ve realized just how important it is for me to continue to prioritize sleep as a tool to maintain my mental health.
Seriously, Jerk Brain? 
Still there is a lot to learn about sleep. The Navy experimented with a SEAL team to see how little sleep was necessary for efficiency. The results showed two hours REM was enough. Of course, these were extremely motivated young men, in peak physical condition, trained for endurance. For us mortals, more sleep.
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