Are You Getting Enough Sleep?

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I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I’m awake, you know?

Ernest Hemingway

I wouldn’t say my life is falling apart right now, but I have to admit that I probably could use a bit more sleep.

I was listening to the 48 Days Podcast with Dan Miller yesterday, and there was a brief statement he made that made me think about my sleep habits.  Dan said “successful people get seven to eight hours of sleep a night.”  Too many people try to go at life with less sleep, and they end up driving themselves into the ground.

I typically go to bed around 10:30PM (probably closer to 11PM), and I’m up at 4AM which means I’m only getting five to five and a half hours of sleep a night.  Based on Dan Miller’s commentary, I’m not setting myself up for success.

David says in Psalm 4:8:

“I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”

We used to read this verse to our kids when they had trouble sleeping.  I don’t know about you, but I sometimes allow myself to get so busy during the day with the best intentions of accomplishing great things that I forget to give them up to God at the end of the day.  You and I need rest.  Our bodies and mind need sleep, so we can be effective during the day.  Sleep is God’s gift to us.

I’m actually writing this last night at 8:05PM.  It’s time to shut it down and head towards bed.  I can’t promise I’ll do this every night, but I think it could be a good start towards something better for me.

How much sleep do you get each night?  Why do you think sleep is an important habit?