Friday Waypoints – 12/07/18
Books I’m Reading:
I had a “down day” this week due to an Upper Respiratory something-or-other and I found myself at home reading books about Sleep. It all started because I did not get a good night’s sleep due to the medication that I was taking to help me with the coughing.
As I’ve gotten older, a good night’s sleep has been at a premium. And what I discovered in my reading this week is, the older you get the more problems you have with sleeping, and if you have problems with sleeping, you’re going to have problems with your health and mental health. Here are the books that I’m reading:
“Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams,” by Matthew Walker, PhD
“Sleep Smarter: 21 Essential Strategies to Sleep Your Way to A Better Body, Better Health, and Bigger Success,” by Shawn Stevenson.
The first book is more clinical, but very helpful in understanding why we have problems sleeping. The second book is very practical and is full of ideas to practice better “Sleep Hygiene.”
Quote I’m Pondering:
“We have to spend a moment distinguishing between what is ours to take charge of and what is not. Then, simply, we only bother about the part that is. Magically, the overall results will then tend to improve.” Derren Brown from his book, “Happy: What More or Less Everything is Fine”
Meaningful Moment:
It is so much fun seeing families and their teenagers get better! “We’ve have a very good week.” Those are wonderful words for a Family Therapist to hear. I heard some version of that several times this week and it gives me hope. Some do not, and I also had my share of hearing guardians and parents voice their frustration and despair. So I rejoice with families that are able at this time to grow closer together, and I work harder to help those that are not.
