So yesterday I posted some of the harder parts of choosing this lifestyle. Today I want to relay to those of you still putting in your time at your job, the number one best thing about being retired...
SLEEP!!!!
Yes, folks, you heard me right. I sleep the sleep of the dead now. After working at a job for 18 years where you expect and get server pages and calls from the police department at all hours of the day and night, I sleep wonderfully now.
I've been reading a lot of studies the last couple of years about sleep and how important it is. The science states that the average number of hours of sleep needed each night is between 7 and 9. I can tell you that 7 just doesn't cut it for me and my average was between 6 and 7 when I was working. Eight isn't quite enough either. Ten is too much - I feel a little groggy and it takes me a while to get going if I sleep 10 hours. Nine is my ideal sleep number. Science confirmed.
Science also tells us that we need to sleep more when we're young and the older we get the less sleep we need. I think my grandma averaged about 5-6 hours a night and I know babies pretty much only sleep, eat and you know. Of course, maybe that's an evolution thing because think of how worn out new parents are if the baby doesn't sleep a lot. I've known a few of those parents and I can tell you, it's not pretty. The science confirmed once again.
The other sleep fact provided by scientists is that you can't make up lost sleep. Let's go ahead and look at this one in more detail.
For the last 18 years, I've gotten about 6-7 hours a sleep a night instead of my prime 9. Let's say on average about two-thirds of the time over that period I was missing 2 hours of sleep a night:
12 years x 365 days = 4,380 days x 2 hours = 8,760 lost hours
If I try and make up those 8,760 lost hours by sleeping 10 hours a night it would take me 24 years!
8,760 lost hours / 365 days a year = 24 years
I would be 84 years old when I finally got caught up. I guess scientists are right about this one too; except they forgot one important fact...who cares if I'm groggy when I get up? WTF else do I have to do? It's not like I have to go to a job and make quick decisions. I'm retired! So, scientists, when you say you can't make up lost sleep, I think you need to add some clarification. You can't make up lost sleep when you need it most.
This morning, Rusty and I got up around 6:30am and took about a three mile walk along the Colorado River. When we got back, we both went back to bed and slept till after 10 and I feel great. Here's a picture of someone else who got up early this morning:
Other than Mr. Beaver who was busy munching on the tender shoots on the river bank and one lone jogger we didn't see a single soul. And the after walk nap was the best way to start the day!
xoxox
Julie
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