phone vs sleep – which would you choose?

Every Monday in the Kirsten and co closed Facebook group – click here for info/to join us – we chat about wellness.

This week we’re discussing sleep. Specifically the lack of it that so many of us seem to suffer from.

phone vs sleep – which would you choose?

Now I don’t know about you, but I’m on my phone A LOT.

I run my businesses from it – this blog and Skin Boss.

For example,

• Checking and answering emails
• Updating both Facebook pages and Instagram feeds regularly throughout the day
• Answering Facebook and Instagram messages from customers or clients
• Creating content (fancy term for taking photos or videos)
• Daily outfit photos*
• Researching product information

are all done on my phone.

*Daily outfit photos are shot on my Olympus PEN E-PL8. My phone is used as the remote. The photos are transferred from camera to phone via wi-fi. Full details can be found here.

On a personal front, I use my phone to

• text or face time family and friends
• wake me up in the mornings – yes, it’s my alarm clock
• remind me when to take my old lady tablets IIH medication  throughout the day
• take photos and videos
• scroll through Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram
• book concert tickets
• shop
• order groceries
• watch videos
• and sometimes, I’ll even make a phone call!

My phone is with me all.the.time.

At night, I’ll happily sit on the couch and scroll through it instead of watching tv or reading a book. 

And that’s where my problem lies. 

I’m on my phone for far too long in the evenings.  Sometimes I’m working – hanging out with you on Facebook or Instagram – but other times I’m not.

I’m fluffing about in home decorating groups, admiring a backyard makeover.

Sure, it’s by a complete stranger and we don’t need to makeover our backyard anytime soon. But Natalie and her husband Steve** put a lot of time and effort into laying those tiles themselves. And their pool area looks amazing. I mean, just look at those plants! 

I’m mucking around on Pinterest. Clicking on articles that will tell me everything from how to make the best chocolate cake ever to the 47 secrets to a successful business launch.

I read them and then at about the halfway point I start sighing because I already know all of these things. I’ve even done them! And then I think I should write articles like that – if only I had the time. Um….

I’m tapping through Insta Stories, wondering why I’m watching 15 second clips of people making their coffee.

I mean, it’s coffee. We all know how to make it. Yet I’m watching, like some sort of hypnotised fool who really should put her phone down and get to bed.

And before I know it, it’s 10.30pm. I’m tired. So tired. I should go to bed but quite often I don’t.

I stay up for another 1/2 hour or so, continuing the scroll or doing one last check of my emails or making sure my alarm is set.

It’s ridiculous and it has to stop.

Getting enough sleep and looking after yourself is far more important than anything on a phone will ever be.

my get to sleep plan

So from today, this is my plan.

1. At 9.30pm I’m turning my phone OFF. 
2. At 10pm I’m going to bed.

I’m keeping it simple because that’s what works best for me. Maybe it’s a plan that would work for you too?

Phone off, lights out.  Too easy! I hope….

Are you addicted to your phone at night? Do you have any sleep strategies to share?

**not their real names. Not even real people. Just threw that in there as an example.