It’s 5am, another Monday morning. I could use another hour of sleep, but I must get up if I were to make this day and the upcoming week productive.
So-called experts (i.e., rich people who have more money & time to spend than I do) say people should get up early in the morning so that they would have more time for themselves.
Other experts as in sleep scientists disagree. They say humans should sleep a continuous eight (8) hours a night to ensure health of mind & body. Humans need sleep to flush waste from their brains & bodies, in which if they don’t, would potentially lead to illnesses and mental-health problems.
I decide to opt for the former and rise from bed. My to-do task list shows the need to be busy that Monday and in the ensuing days. I cannot afford to not meet deadlines or not finish tasks.
Besides, I believe I got my decent night’s sleep, even though I was in bed for only six (6) hours. My argument to the sleep scientists is I dreamed. When people dream, they reach their rapid-eye-movement (REM) cycle, which is the core of healthy sleep. I don’t remember what I dreamt; the point is I did, so I rationalise that I had a good night’s sleep.
Health experts insist that people should eat right, get enough sleep, and exercise to be physically fit. The trouble is health experts themselves continuously debate & revise what diets, sleep schedules, and physical exercise regimens people should be doing. Some would say I should be a vegetarian, while others would say I should focus on protein-rich food. Should I sleep eight (8) hours or be satisfied with reaching REM regardless of the number of hours I’m in slumber? And should I invest in strenuous exercise or be happy with a few minutes of strolling every day?
My daily schedule includes morning exercises consisting of lifting weights three (3) days a week, and short walks within my residence. I eat three meals a day and though I tend to overeat sometimes, I avoid sweet desserts and sugar-rich beverages. Together with my six (6) hour sleep cycle, that in a nutshell comprises my daily self-health maintenance routine.
Is it enough? Should I do more? Should I change any of it?
My criterion for the effectiveness of my daily routine is how productive I end up. If I get to consistently finish tasks and meet challenging deadlines, then I would tend to believe I must be doing something right. If I’m not meeting goals, then I may need to make changes.
My life is my responsibility. Reading what other experts say gives me knowledge and maybe some good ideas. But I dictate what I will finally do. No one tells me what to do except me.
Ellery's Essays 