goodnight and go
In Plato’s perfect Republic, there was a class of people who were bred to be the ultimate members of the society. They were called guardians, but they shouldn’t be equated with our modern military despite their equivalent civil service. They were also the wisest and most self-disciplined members of the republic in all respects, neither seeking personal wealth nor wealth for their family. They were precise and perfect.
And in the spirit of perfection (just watch this transition, you’ll enjoy), I’ve been working on techniques to help me cope with the immense weariness I’ve been dealing with. My amount of sleep is averaging out to about 4 or 5 hours per night during the week, which is far less than what I’m used to (6 or 7 in previous semesters).
My first coping mechanism I stole from Jeremiah’s stories of his semesters. The powernap does wonders and I can see why he has found it so useful. I’ve gotten it down to a science so that when I feel my eyes growing heavier, I’ll sit and let myself nap until the next class comes around. Somehow I am consistently able to wake up with plenty of time to spare. I need more trials with this experiment, but the napping has been a success for my livelihood, nonetheless.
Another tool I’ve found is an ability to relax my mind. It’s difficult to describe, but after a Wednesday afternoon shift at the Empo, my brain literally hurts and my head feels very tight. The Empo is packed Wednesday afternoons and I’m beginning to question my initial reasons for taking the extra hours (although, I do love helping out the students), but regardless, I leave with mental chaos. However, with this frustration leaving work, I’m learning ways to flush my mind of that experience and somewhat start over. I traditionally use running as a tactic for relieving this type of stress, but I am figuring out how to suppress all of that and reset. It sounds odd, and I suppose it is.
Oh well. No wonder I want robotic children. But for now, I would appreciate Thanksgiving break to hurry up and get here.
November 10th, 2005 at 5:30 pm
The powernap is amazing. But you’re right, it is a science. For me, my magic time frame is 20 minutes. If I only have 15, or if I stretch it to 30, I’m more tired and very cranky.
Awww, I can’t wait for Thanksgiving Break!
November 11th, 2005 at 9:28 pm
Twenty minutes is about what I’ve been taking. I’ve been careful to make sure I am sitting/reclining during the time, because getting into bed would result in immediate passing out. The sleep is light then, but it counts and I get somewhat rested.
One more week!