“Quality over quantity” is what we’ve always heard when it comes to just about anything. Excellence is preferable to mediocrity, even if there is less of it. Of course, when combining quality and quantity, you reach a transcendence. We think about almost anything that is better in quality over quantity, but the one you’re not thinking about, is exactly what you should be thinking about: sleep. Yeah, that’s right, sleep! When you describe your day, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? What’s the last thing that comes to mind? Exactly. It’s the first and last part of your day, so shouldn’t it be of importance? It directly influences your present, and your future. Think about it, when you wake up feeling great, you’re motivated to have a great day. You want to start off right, and the best way is to mind your sleep habits.
It’s as easy as dimming the lights, stretching, or organizing the clutter that keeps your mind in disarray. Or perhaps you prefer to write out your goals, whether they are daily, monthly, or life goals. But that’s not all, just as you prepare to go to sleep you should also prepare for the next day. A quick workout, waking up after a full REM cycle or even just a glass of water can help wake you up. Or my favorite, as Naval Admiral, William McRaven put it: “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed”. Making your bed is the first task of the day and encourages you to be productive. If you can do the little things right, the big things will be no problem. And if by chance your day is something short of pleasurable, you will come home to a bed that is not just made, but that you made.
You may think that all of this is not necessary for something as simple as sleep. In reality, sleep is not all that simple. Think of a computer; when it restarts, it takes its time to clear the canvas and start fresh. Your brain needs that same action be ready to take on the day. This is why the eight hours of sleep are crucial to your wellbeing. Investing in your sleep is investing not just for tomorrow, but for the rest of your life; which is why consistency means everything.
Why am I writing about sleep? I recently had the chance to try out all of these cool tricks from Sleep Number at the Fuel Up to Play 60 Student Ambassador Summit in Cleveland, Ohio, and the results were outstanding. I felt better every day that I implemented these tricks and I fell asleep faster. As a Youth Council Leader, I got to hear from my group of Student Ambassadors about their experiences, and they had some great feedback. They mentioned how they felt more rested, relaxed, and less stressed when using the tricks. They loved stretching before bed, dimming the lights, and writing down their goals for the next day. I urged them to continue with these habits as I got to see firsthand how a night of great sleep compared to a tireless night. I loved seeing them awake and ready to take on the day as compared to the constant yawning I saw at the beginning of the Summit. They began to value their sleep and really enjoyed the tips and tricks that Sleep Number had provided them. I noted to them a couple times before bedtime that they should remember, as Aristotle said, “We are what we most often do, therefore excellence ought to be a habit, not an act”.
If you want to be excellent, you must chase perfection. But not just today, every day of your life. And for that to be possible, you must set your foundation strong by getting a quality night’s sleep. It can be hard, but all great things require hard work. And hard work makes for great outcomes.
Jimena
Youth Council Leader
11th Grade
Texas