Good Night and Good Luck

At the beginning of my physio class, I was assigned a project (an OLE) that required tracking my sleeping progress. This has allowed me to develop better sleeping habits, especially with the cortisol-fueled nights I've been having since freshman year. For 4 weeks, I've recorded my results of how long I slept for each of the days in an attempt to avoid all-nighters. The 5 icons on the right include a chart of my progress, reflection, and starred journal entries. Scroll through and see how I did!

[upallnighttodohomework]

Tuesday - 10.15.13

Monday night was a direct 8 hours.

I was hoping to get 10 hours on a weeknight but a group project prevented that as an extra 2 hours was to be put on practicing with the group as a whole online because everyone else was up at 10 pm.

Also I was delayed as I stayed up sewing so everyone in my club could have craft materials to make teru teru bozu dolls. Although the 8 hours beforehand allowed me more energy, I still felt a little drained.

I couldn't escape from my academic responsibilities or club duties but I still managed to get the 8 hours so I'm proud that I could still keep that up.

Monday: 11 pm - 7 am (8 hours)

[upallnighttodohomework]

Monday - 10.14.13

Unlike last Sunday night, I was able to sleep early but I also was able to get my whole family to sleep early.

Usually my mother and I working in the middle of the night interrupts my father's sleep as every sound and light shines across every room of our house. But this Sunday night, everyone in my house was able to sleep without much irritation since there was no noisy television or bright lights. We all enjoyed the sleep and were able to enjoy our Monday as my father went to work calmer and my mother and brother were able to sleep in. 

Although this wasn't a school night, it was important to see how additional sleep would affect not only my lifestyle but my family's. We should do this more often but I'm hoping transitioning back into school on Tuesday won't be as difficult.

Sunday: 11:30 pm - 8:30am (9 hours)

[upallnighttodohomework]

Sunday - 10.13.13

I was somewhat proud as I was able to go over the 8 hours I assigned and still get work done. But it could have also helped because it was a three day weekend. I was successfully able to sleep 11 hours on Saturday night.

Usually Saturday night is a "busy" night for our house as we all end up watching SNL at 11:30 pm - 1 am. Having it be an obstacle to persuade me to stay up late, I ignored it and went to bed early. I woke up Sunday afternoon very comfortable and motivated. I used the extra time to clean my room. So far the extra sleep is allowing me to be very productive the 2nd weekend.

Saturday: 11 pm - 10am (11 hours)

[upallnighttodohomework]

Saturday - 10.12.13

I was able to relax this weekend and catch up on more sleep. I feel very calm and was able to finish all my homework before sleeping early. I had enough energy to go to work and teach swimming again on Friday night and immediately fell asleep afterwards, waking up for a group project Saturday morning. 

I started the day very early at 10 am to the Cupertino Library and later joined my family in driving around the neighborhood so it was a very peaceful day with little stress. I felt much happier and my family did too as they were all able to sleep early. Everyone seemed to sleep well, including me.

Friday:  9:30 pm - 10 am (11.5 hours)

[upallnighttodohomework]

Thursday - 10.10.13

Today was a moderately easy day. I am still keeping on the 8 hour track but am still programming the time period of sleeping into one shot so I can continue to make progress. All 3 action plans are still in effect and so far are working as my homework is being checked off and my body is getting used to the week-long alarm.

Wednesday: 11 pm - 7 am (8 hours)

[upallnighttodohomework]

Wednesday - 10.9.13

I've been able to reroute my sleeping schedule back through little naps throughout the last few days. I feel much more awake and am excited for Thursday and will continue on the normal schedule tonight while I still can.

Although I was hoping that I could lengthen my daily sleep to 8 hours, moving my schedule to a normal sleeping time has significantly helped me much more than I thought it would since I'm finishing homework faster than before. I am more concentrated with this extra sleep and feel prepared.

Tuesday: 8 hours (multiple naps included)

[upallnighttodohomework]

Tuesday - 10.8.13

Although I woke up from my Monday nap a little after midnight, I could not sleep until 5 am. I'm still trying to change this schedule as it has forced me to go back to my usually ways.

I ended up sleeping a few hours with the combined sleep from earlier but did not go to school today so I was able to somewhat sleep in. Having the hours added up, 8 hours seems appropriate. Although I'm trying to get back on track with the sleeping schedule, it's very difficult. 

Lack of sleep has made me ill and I desperately need more sleep to regain my strength. I also feel that I am falling behind as Tuesday is always a large learning day.

Monday: 8 hours (includes multiple nappings)

[upallnighttodohomework]

Monday - 10.7.13

I ended up not sleeping at all since I was trying to finish my essays and reflection due on Monday

I came to school Monday feeling terrible and chugged a Starbucks Caramel Coffee Bottle to stay awake but felt jittery for 2 hours. I crashed during 4th period and later fell asleep during Lunch. I tried hard to stick to the schedule but ended up breaking it entirely. I came home from school after 7 pm and broke one of my objectives by forgetting to make an alarm and taking a nap, a step away from progress.

This was unhealthy and I hope that I can make up this sleep debt later in the week. Luckily I was able to wake up after midnight and finish all my homework before school. It's almost 5 am so sleep will commence shortly.

Sunday: 0 hours

[upallnighttodohomework]

Sunday - 10.6.13

I was able to get a good 11 hours of sleep again on Saturday night and stay on daytime schedule with no naps. However, I still have an amazing amount of work due on Monday and am having trouble staying awake.

I figure that I won't be able to sleep until hours after I write this entry since I have 3 college essays due in British Lit that aren't finished as well as some other reading that I've put off.

I taught a swimming lesson today so I lost a few hours of potential working but sometimes you have to trade education for financial gain. Let's see how this night goes...

Saturday: 11pm - 10am (11 hours)

[upallnighttodohomework]

Saturday - 10.5.13

I was able to get a good 11 hours on Friday night and was able to increase the amount of sleep intake over the week. Although my original goal was to reach 8 hours worth of time each day, I think I needed this extra boost of sleep. There is a large amount of homework due on Monday and I could use the extra rest.

I felt very upbeat when I woke up Saturday morning. Usually I roll around in bed until my body forces me to get up at 2 in the afternoon but this feeling was much nicer. This also was one of the few mornings that I was able to catch some cartoons and see people pass my house to go to the De Anza Flea Market. 

I went a little over with 11 hours but at this point, my goal is to stay consistent without any naps.

Friday: 11 pm - 10 am (11 hours)

[upallnighttodohomework]

Thursday - 10.3.13

Wednesday night's 8 hours are achieved! 

I woke up ready to get up, a feeling that I never really have except for when it's Christmas morning. I was alert throughout the day and was able to avoid napping when I got home so we're at a good 8 hour start so far.

This Friday my friend and I have a Friday Wellness presentation. I hope that I'll get enough energy sleeping in order to present tomorrow but much of it is incomplete. Luckily, I don't have any homework besides preparation so tonight I will have time to rest.

I will not post again until Saturday night.

Wednesday Night: 11 pm - 7am (8 hours)

[upallnighttodohomework]

Wednesday - 10.2.13

I happily was able to achieve the 8 hour sleep I was going for Tuesday night. Although it was a bit easier because today was an easy Block Day, I felt very refreshed in my classes.

I was able to concentrate in my Stats class and understand more material and bring up a lot of promotion ideas for our upcoming fall show Almost, Maine.

It was a little difficult to force myself to sleep instead of watching more television Tuesday night but I eventually was able to drift off. There is a Physiology Health exam tomorrow that but luckily I've had enough time and discipline to study beforehand (instead of my usual cramming) so I feel prepared. Almost cocky.

I'm glad I could go to sleep at an average time and here's to another 8 hours!

Tuesday Night: 12:30am - 8:30am (8 hours)

[upallnighttodohomework]

Tuesday - 10.1.13

Today is the second day of my sleeping progress journals. 

On Monday, I unofficially prepared myself with a copious amount of sleep and coffee to continue to stay awake Tuesday afterschool in order to tackle my afternoon napping. By doing so, it was a wonderful start to start and maintain a constant and normal schedule where sleeping belongs at night.

Tomorrow morning, I plan to wake up at 8:30am. To attain 8 hours of sleep, I plan to sleep by 12:30am. 

The alarm I've put in is working well and the lack of television has been helpful as I start writing essays and need concentration. So far I feel pretty confident and well-rested. I hope to start this week out with 8 hours and gradually increase it as time goes on if I can balance my work and sleep)

Monday: 11 pm - 7 am (8 hours)

[upallnighttodohomework]

Monday - 9.30.13

Today is the first day that I start my sleeping progress journals. I’ve decided to start in the beginning of the week in order to gradually build up to sleeping at an “earlier" time.

On Sunday night, I prepped myself with more sleep to stay awake for Monday and Tuesday afterschool in order to maintain a constant and normal schedule. 

On Wednesday mornings I wake up at 8:30am. To attain 8 hours of sleep, I plan to sleep by 12:30am. 

Through these entries that I will post every night except Friday night (meaning I will not be taking note of Thursday night’s sleeping schedule), I hope to maintain a healthy sleep of over 8 hours during a timeset between 11 pm - 7 am daily (excluding Wednesday Block) and raising it to maintain a healthier balance of schoolwork and health.

Three of my objectives include:

1) Setting an alarm 30 minutes before rest to train my body (somewhat like a trigger to sleep)

2) Shutting off television while working, and organizing all my work + extra details through my planner.

3) Writing everything including special activities and work into my planner so everything will be neatly organized and easy to check off

The format of these journals will be a summary of the night before, attitude and comments of sleep effects throughout the day and preparation for the next.

But for now until tomorrow, this has been a sleep.