02-01-2014, 02:54 AM
One of the major things to consider when managing your sleeping schedule is how much REM sleep youre getting. Your body naturally goes through usually 3 periods of REM sleep during the night. The first REM cycle starts at about 90 minutes after you've fallen asleep and lasts 10 minutes. After that you'll have 40 minutes between the next stages of REM of increasing duration. REM can get up to a hour long. Eating, drinking or smoking anything within 4-5 hours of going to sleep will interrupt REM and not allow your body to do its rejuvenation thing.
The other thing to consider is how much melatonin and and serotonin your body is producing. Serotonin is produced by exposure to direct sunlight and is responsible for producing feelings of happiness. Melatonin is produced in the evening hours when the body is exposed to lower dim lights and is responsible for making you feel tired. Not getting enough of one or the other will screw up your circadian rhythm. The life style of an artist tends to keep us from getting much sunlight but its a vital part of staying healthy and productive. Being an artist doesnt mean you have to or need to be depressed and unhealthy to be creative. Its just a side effect of the life style.
The other thing to consider is how much melatonin and and serotonin your body is producing. Serotonin is produced by exposure to direct sunlight and is responsible for producing feelings of happiness. Melatonin is produced in the evening hours when the body is exposed to lower dim lights and is responsible for making you feel tired. Not getting enough of one or the other will screw up your circadian rhythm. The life style of an artist tends to keep us from getting much sunlight but its a vital part of staying healthy and productive. Being an artist doesnt mean you have to or need to be depressed and unhealthy to be creative. Its just a side effect of the life style.