Sleep challenge - day 5
Wake up time.
Research suggests that instead of focusing on a regular time to go to bed, it’s better to focus on a standardised routine wake up time. The idea being that this helps our circadian rhythm and helps regulate when we go to bed. We’ll naturally feel tired in the night to know we need to go to sleep.
Should what time should we wake up?
Shift recommend instead of focusing on 8 hours of sleep etc, set a time that allows you to do what you need to do in the morning and resist the snooze button. Todays challenge was to set a waking time and stick to it.
Here’s what Shift seem to be basing this off: Teni Davoudian
My results
On the basis of the article I felt this days challenge was more pertinent to people who are bordering on and are suffering from insomnia. I don’t and so took a more relaxed approach to waking on a Sat morning (i.e. not my usual 6:30am on weekdays). However I did practice the breathwork protocol of inhale for 4, hold for 4 (with muscle tension) and then exhale for 8.
Subjectively I thought I had a good nights sleep. Nodded off ok and felt solid. Objectively my Oura score was 71; still good but lower than it has been.
Light - 83%
REM -13%
Deep - 4%
Obviously didn’t hit the numbers for REM and deep sleep. Analysing it, I think with yesterday being a bit of a rest day, I’m not sure my body needed the REM & deep sleep so much. This is bore out a little with my HRV score this morning. Pretty high.
The lesson is don’t get hung up on the numbers from these trackers. Look at things in the round and importantly go on how you feel.