FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

There is a lot of research to support the idea that we should align ourselves with our circadian rhythms. Our bodies need a good 12 hrs on non-stimulation time to perform deep restoration. This means avoiding eating, bright blue activities (turn off the screens) and strenuous movement. Shift workers have heightened health risks because their schedules go against the body’s circadian clocks which are in our eyes, brain, and internal organ systems.

So, don’t feel lazy. You are improving your health and lengthening your lifespan.

Hi Kristi,

I feel so tired once the sun goes down and it goes down so early now! I do love the coziness of winter though, snuggling under a blanket with the fire going!

I’m with you, I crash at 7:00.

With the sun setting earlier, I find that we are eating dinner earlier but not actually going to bed any earlier. I get hooked on my emails, internet or some YouTube, Twitter and FB or else reading in bed. But I do like to sleep-in in the mornings.

Kathleen

... OH , how I loved reading your entry for today! I had forgotten how much I loved Eddie and Patsy! I watched their TV series all through the eary 2000's and loved every one! They are the best tonic for anyone, anywhere. How I wish they were still on television. Their movie was 'okay' just not 'ab fab'!
As for going to bed early, being a night owl, it just does not work for me. We were just robbed of an hour of daylight due to the time change... )(*(%^)()(*&*)_! Thanks again for the wormhole into some of their hilarious out takes!

Though I could only understand about 10% of what Eddie and Patsy were saying to each other, I howled. It was all funny. I am a fan from way back. Thank you for including that in today's French Word-A-Day.
Andree

We have an expression in the south, and maybe other folks use it as well. Going to bed early is: "Going to bed with the chickens". Farm families went to bed with the chickens and got up with the rooster. People are not sleeping long enough now with too much stimulation, especially children. So, I wouldn't fault you for getting just what your body needs. Naps are not bad either. All the best to you and family!

Do you speak french at all?
Those are not how you translate them...

From someone whos actually french born and lives in an English speaking country.

This is what I too have found, Kristin. In the Arizona Summers, I awake at first light which comes early, as I love to go out into the yard and after the sun is up for only a short time, it is already too hot and so am house-bound for the long day. I find that with so many hours, I take an afternoon nap, a siesta, which other residents learned long ago.It is usually only 45 minutes and I awake naturally, but it seems to be needed. In the winter, I too, arise later, again at first light...but that comes so much later. I go to bed earlier and seem to need the longer sleep, so I think that we are certainly tuned to the rules of the sun. Don't fight it...Nature is telling us what is right.

who's

Kristi, you are not alone in feeling tired when the sun goes down. I believe in living seasonally and, whenever my evening teaching schedule allows, I go to sleep early in the evening. This is especially true in the winter months when the sun sets early. I have been studying Ayurveda for the past few years and was curious to learn early on that this ancient science affirms that we need more rest in the winter than in the summer, when we naturally tend to have more energy because of the longer daylight hours, more vibrant and fresh fruit and berries, etc. So, hibernate, hibernate! Wintertime is for warm blankets, fireside snuggles, giant books, comfort meals, limitless mugs of tea, and extra hours of sleep. Sending you my warmest regards from summer in NZ!