Back in Kansas City, I get some happiness-boosting SLEEP.

The more I've reflected on happiness, the more convinced I've become of the importance of SLEEP to staying happy.

We left new York City for Kansas City on Saturday, for our annual eight-day holiday stay -- and upon arrival immediately started on our traditional KC activities, like going to Winstead's, going to the Plaza, etc. But although we feel like we have a lot to do here, we really don't.

Last night, after a tiring day of buying some gifts at a bookstore and watching the girls decorate gingerbread cookies, I went to bed at 9:00 pm. I slept until 7:00 this morning. Ten solid hours. I felt ridiculous going to bed so early, and figured I'd be awake by 5:00, but I guess I was more tired than I realized.

I wouldn't be able to get to bed at 9:00 every night, of course, but as a consequence of my happiness project, I have definitely gotten better at going to bed as soon as I feel sleepy. It really pays off. I feel a lot more energetic today than I have in a while.

*
Interested in starting your own Happiness Project? If you’d like to take a look at my personal Resolutions Chart, for inspiration, just email me at grubin, then the “at” sign, then gretchenrubin dot com. No need to write anything more than “Resolutions Chart” in the subject line. I won't send it until after the holidays, though, so don't be surprised if it doesn't show up right away.

Comments

[Also a Gretchen, but still in KC]

Gretchen R,
Welcome back to KC, even if it is only for a short while. Other than the Plaza, Winsteads, and spending time together, what does your family like to do in KC this time of year?

I'm trying desperately to get my husband to agree to ice skating at Crown Center. It might be a lost cause once again.

Enjoy your visit!
-Gretchen P.

[marilyn @ simmer till done]

Gretchen - sleep is the key, I'm sure of it. And Winstead's never hurts, either. :)

[The Healthy Librarian]

Hi Gretchen,

I love this quote from Meg Tufano, given as "Advice Kids Need to Know When They Grow-Up":

"Rest. Sundays are good if only because other people may be doing the same thing. But any day is fine. Rest is essential to everything else you care about. Without rest, the fragility of your life will be front and center; with rest, you have a savings account of energy from which to draw to help out others. Make it religious in the sense you ALWAYS take rest at least once a week."

Enjoy your holidays!

http://www.happyhealthylonglife.com

[Shannon]

Welcome to my hometown! The Plaza is lovely. I'd also recommend Brookside for good, independent dining and shopping. A daytrip to Lawrence is also nice, and not really that far at all.

[kazari]

Was it the Dalai Llama that said the secret to happiness is 9 hours sleep a night?

I don't know, but I know when I'm unhappy, I don't sleep so well. And doing everything I can to get a good night's sleep is the first thing I can do to have a good next day.

Thanks for your post!

[Jen Marcus]

Hi Gretchen,
I am also from Kansas City originally. I also totally agree that sleep is a foundation of happiness! Happy Holidays and thanks for the good reads.

[Abbie]

Oh, the plaza! I'm originally from Lawrence and have awesome memories of special trips into KC.

Enjoy your trip, and have a wonderful Christmas!

[Amelia]

Definitely - I can say that sleep does not make me happy but lack of sleep does make me a grumpy so-and-so which in turn makes me unhappy for not representing myself the way I'd like. Sleeping as long as your body needs (within reason) to is something I've always believed in.
Have a great christmas all!

[J.D. Meier]

I hear that.

It's like Kano theory though. More of it won't necessarily increase your happiness, but an absence will increase your dissatisfaction exponentially.

One of the best guidelines I know is to fix your sleeping, eating, and working out, and then flex everything else around that.

[Kisa]

As I've aged (I'm now 41), I've become more and more dependent on getting a good night's sleep. Not just to feel alert instead of sleepy during the day, but to feel alive instead of depressed. If I don't get enough shuteye, I become so defeatist about my life that it's hard to get anything done (other than weep).

On working out: I've recently begun using my new stationary bike four nights a week, 45 minutes each session, and I notice I've got more energy on the same amount of sleep. After years of trying the gym, running, dance class, and so on, I think I've found the right combo. I exercise in the evening when I'd be watching a DVD or favorite show anyway. The visuals divert me from the monotony of biking, the biking gets me fit. So far, so good!

[Ulla Hennig]

I am on holidays just now, and every night I sleep nine to ten hours. Obviously my body needs it. I wonder whether my sleeping time will be shorter after some days of sleeping so much...

[lizzie]

I go to bed at 9 and get up at 5 am - it is amazing how much work I can get done between 5 and 7 am. The old adage - Early to bed, early to rise makes one healthy, weathly and wise. Very interesting idea.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Other fun things we love to do in Kansas City: go to Science City, to Kaleidescope, to Ward Parkway to the movies, to Rainy Day Books, and to various BBQ spots. Ah, I love KC!

I like the idea of fixing eating, sleeping, and exercising as a foundation. There's a lot of wisdom in that.

Now I'm off to look up the Kano theory...

[Misty Gibbs]

Sleep is the wonder pill for me! AND if I really focused on all 3 - sleeping, eating and exercising you wouldn't be able to wipe the grin off my face! This is where my excuses should start but I will spare everyone the details!

[kathy]

The older I get, the more I appreciate naps! Sound, adequate sleep is so essential to good health. It not only repairs and recharges the body, it does wonders for the mind and emotions.

I agree with lizzie, 9 to 5 works for sleeping too and early mornings are wondrous for creative pursuits.

[jetgirl]

Hey, just found your blog through Lifehacker and while I've been browsing your posts, this one really resonated with me. A few weeks ago I realized I just had to get more sleep so I started going to bed at 9. I didn't like this, it made me feel kind of lame. But the next few days I started waking up around 4:30. And I was awake! not groggy or tired or resentful of getting out of be. And I had plenty of time to exercise in the morning. And I wasn't drowsy during the day. I've skipped a few days due to travel and holidays but going to bed at 9 for at least 5 days out of the week is one of my resolutions. Thanks.

[Chris]

Hope you enjoyed the warm...then cold...then warm...then cold weather! :)