“I think, therefore I am”

Oh hi, so as it turns out, I have some good ideas to try and feel a little more sane.

• Taking Showers at Night: I actually like mornings once I’m up, but getting up at 6am to be at school for 8am has been a bit rough on me. I haven’t been sleeping all that well, and feel the stress of getting up early when I go to bed. Many of my teachers had mentioned that they take their showers at night, in part so as not to disturb their S.O.’s with hair drying (though I haven’t been doing that even by myself) and in part to sleep a little longer. I don’t take long showers, by any means, but ten extra minutes to sleep in the morning would be much appreciated. I was also thinking that taking a shower at night may help me fall asleep faster and sleep better. Maybe, maybe not, but trying it this week.

• Cutting (Way) Back on TV: I don’t watch as much TV as the average American – and in fact don’t even have a television set in my bedroom, but I have a theory that even the amount that I do watch is a) too much even if I didn’t have one million school things to do and 2) negatively affecting my psyche. I do enjoy watching my shows when I’m watching them (all on Hulu), but I have noticed that I feel drained or a little down after it’s over. And yet I just end up wanting more to watch. As it turns out, I’m not the only one with this theory that too much TV can contribute to depression, as I found articles all over the internet about studies proving it – and aside from the sedentary lifestyle that can lead to obesity. Even with some exercise, watching TV can still have a more powerful effect over your mental health. Right now, I watch How I Met Your Mother, Glee, Modern Family, Parks and Recreation, The Office, Grey’s Anatomy (don’t judge), and Ringer. I also normally watch Make It Or Break It, Chuck, and 30 Rock, which haven’t started up for the season yet, occasionally watch The Simpsons and Family Guy, and I only recently stopped watching Jersey Shore. Maybe you watch more than I do, maybe you watch less, but considering how I’ve been feeling lately, I think it’s time to cut back on my TV time. Since How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family, and Parks and Recreation are probably my favorites, only half an hour, and aren’t soul-draining dramas, I’m going to try only watching these shows for a few weeks to see if my theory holds water. Plus, I should probably set a good example for my sixth graders.

• Forcing Myself to Read for Pleasure: I read twenty books this summer, and loved every minute of it. Since the beginning of the semester, I have only been half-heartedly chipping away at The Once and Future King amid the massive amount of reading and papers I have for school. It’s not that The Once and Future King isn’t a good or entertaining book – it is – but it is also a little dense with older English and is not a plot-driven, cliff-hangery story, so I haven’t felt strongly compelled to read it at every opportunity. Anyway, it has come to my attention that I need to read a book that I can’t put down. Neil Gaimon’s novels usually serve me well in that respect, so I was thinking of finally picking up American Gods, which I have been told will be a real treat. In the meantime, I also have Oliver Twist downloaded on my Kindle, so perhaps Dickens will leave me wanting more… (had to). Unlike watching TV, finishing a book is an extremely satisfying experience for me, so I hope that giving myself that pleasure will help my mood and stress.

• Yoga, Going Outside, and Cooking: Stop being lazy, Kate. You know they make you feel good.

That’s all for now, just thought I’d share my ideas in case they help anyone else with similar needs! I can do this!

Unrelated, this is a photo from a trip to the Bronx Zoo last weekend. Aw, baby giraffe!

Also seen at the zoo, how cute is this antelope squirrel?

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