In the summer months, I'm very definitely an early bird. I often wake even before it's light, when the birds start singing. That can be a little too early to get up, but it's not much later that I'll make myself a cup of tea and sit quietly enjoying the peace and stillness before the day begins.
I started doing this out of frustration from not sleeping, but soon realised that I was gaining all sorts of benefits in what feels like a gift, a special part of the day just for me. The 'to do' list may be looming but doesn't need addressing yet. This is a time when there are no demands, no expectations. I can sit and ponder, and sometimes read or write, but I also let my mind wander or take stock.
While this has become a little habit for me over the past few days and weeks, I was interested to have my behaviour validated by a book I read this weekend. I've mentioned it below, it's called 'The Brain at Rest' and it's by a neuroscientist, currently working in London but who has studied in the US.
In this book he points out how the expectations in society today of heightened productivity, multi-tasking, cramming activities into every available hour are actually detrimental for our physical, mental and emotional health. That's possibly - probably - not news to us really. But he shares some of the science behind why we should all try to return to having quiet times in the day, should focus on individual tasks without distractions and should recognise the importance of sleep. He also explains how and why creativity is sparked by napping, daydreaming and going for long walks!
It's a great book and very easy and quick to read. It does have suggestions at the end of each chapter for how to implement his points into our own lives, but these are not onerous tasks. Sleep for as long as you feel like sleeping, he says, and try to nap for 30 minutes daily, go for walks in a forest or go to the beach. And spend time before going to bed, or when you wake up, staring into space. This is when you'll find that you get your best insights and ability to solve problems, he says. Let's try it this week!
Thank you for reading.