Tag Archives: health

Nudging & Nudged: Get 8 hrs. of sleep (x5)

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Backstory: I Nudged myself to get more sleep a while ago, and it’s something I’d like to do more regularly. So back it went into the bowl for another go ’round.

What Happened: This is the first-ever “Nudging & Nudged” incident. Up till today, I have pulled a new Nudge on Sunday and worked on it through the week. But with this one, this week, I know I will achieve it.

This isn’t because I’m being remarkably disciplined or anything that amazing. It’s simply that I’m sick. With bronchitis. And I’ve been sleeping something like 12 hours a day, so getting in 8 is no big deal.

Sure, I could have put this back in the bowl and chosen another task with which to challenge myself. But you know what, I need a break. My poor overworked body is telling me to STOP, so that’s what I’ll be doing this week.

The Ah-Hahs: I really have gotten better at listening to my body (and my heart and soul) and then acting on what it needs. This being more attuned to myself has been one of the great gifts of this whole 52Nudges experiment.

What is your body telling you it needs this week?

Are you longing for quiet time so you can hear your own thoughts? Are your feet crying out for a little pampering (just in time for Sandals Season)? Is this the week you try giving up sugar? Or is it time to book the vacation/adventure/retreat you’ve been dreaming about forever?

Do it…or don’t. Knowing that your body just needs a break is good too.

I’ll see you back here next Sunday with (I hope) a healthier body and renewed energy for the next Nudge.

Nudged: Drink 3-4 liters H2O every day

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Backstory: Drinking enough water seems such a simple thing to do, and I know it will impact my health and well-being. So why don’t I keep it up?

I don’t have an answer. I just need to do this.

What Happened: I never hit the 4-liter mark, but I hit 3 a couple of days and comfortably downed 2+ on the other days. This is not “perfect”, but it’s “better”, and I’m okay with that.

Along the way, I figured a few things out:

  • If I exercise in the morning, I quickly and effortlessly go through the first liter.
  • If I put a slice of citrus in it, it feels special.
  • If I serve water in a fancy glass or mug, I pick it up more often.
  • If I put it in a pretty pitcher, it feels like I’m treating myself. It also helps to see that full liter on my desk, to keep track of how much more I need to drink and to save me the time of having to refill in the kitchen.

  • If I made it a game, it was kind of fun. For example, when I took stretch breaks from work on the hour, I swallowed several gulps. When I watched TV, I took a couple of gulps whenever there was a commercial break. (Which is funny, because we fast-forward through most ads, but I still used those breaks as a reminder to sip.)

How do I feel? Fine. Did I notice any big changes in my health or well-being? Not yet. But I believe the long-term benefits will happen if I keep this up.

In fact, during the week I mentioned this Nudge to a friend who has a couple of decades on me. She has been concentrating on increasing her water intake recently and has noticed that several nagging health issues have, for lack of a better word, eased.

Ah-Hahs: No fireworks. No fanfare. No big ah-hah moment. This was simply a step toward better self-care, and it’s something I need to continue working on. It’s all good.