Once upon a time, if I woke up before my alarm I’d be annoyed, groggy and grumpy. Heck, I’d be those things even if I slept until the alarm. Sleep was so valuable to me that I hated to waste a minute of it.
If I had to be out of the house in the morning for work, I’d set the alarm for an hour before I needed to leave, probably laze in bed for a few minutes after waking up, and then be in a mad rush to get ready and leave. I’d usually leave later than planned, I’d usually arrive a bit later than I should, frazzled and knackered before the day has even started.
Then I stopped drinking.
The effect wasn’t immediate, but I’m now on day 79 sober and mornings feel so different now.
I set my alarm for an hour and a half before I need to get out of the house. This means I can chill a bit more while I’m getting ready. If I wake up before the alarm (which is happening more and more as the sun rises earlier, yay!) I am thankful for the extra few minutes and get straight up and into the shower (ok I might cuddle my cat for a few minutes and then get up). I’m now actually considering setting the alarm for TWO HOURS before I need to leave, so I have time for some yoga as well.
When I was drinking, somehow one late night or one really early morning meant I was tired for days. I always felt like I was playing catch up. Now my body has settled into a rhythm of going to bed earlier and getting up earlier, and one late night or super early morning is absolutely fine, I know I’ll catch up the following night. My sleep quality is improving, albeit slowly, but hey, progress is progress.
I cannot tell you how amazing this feels.
It happened slowly though, I actually felt MORE tired than usual during the first week or so off the booze. Did anyone else experience that at first?
Maybe our bodies need that time to reset to a natural sleep rhythm. It feels pretty great though and I’d highly recommend it.
I have never, ever, considered myself to be a morning person. But I’m getting there and I feel pretty excited about it.
Life is a whole new ball game if your default position is 'feeling fresh and productive, thanks!' rather than 'ughhh it's too early, I need more coffee'.
I'm starting to realise that the new me is probably rather annoying. hashtag-sorry-not-sorry.
Join me on Friday for instalment #2 of Vegan Friday.
SSV x
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