When I started researching CPAP machines, I learned that while they are a highly effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, compliance can be pretty low (around 50%). Reasons for non-compliance include discomfort with the mask, inability to fall asleep with the mask on, feeling claustrophobic, and not wanting to wear an unattractive piece of headgear to sleep.

Thankfully, I have not had any of those issues beyond the first week, and CPAP therapy is going amazingly well for me.

The downside….is that sometimes it makes me feel a little too invincible. Now that I can stay up late and still be functional and clearheaded during the daytime, it was easy to get a little carried away binge watching Orange is the New Black for a couple weeks. Yes, I know I am late to the party.

So, I stayed up until 11pm a few too many days. And while I am still MUCH more functional than I was before I had the machine, I could tell that I would feel better if I went to sleep earlier. If I can get my workouts in first thing in the morning, I’m much more likely to do them. And I am much more likely to get them in first thing in the morning if I go to bed at 9:30pm instead of 11pm.  I also am less likely to feel “snacky” at night if I go to bed early.

So, while my CPAP may feel like magic, I have to remember not to rely on it to the exclusion of other healthy sleep habits. To feel my best, I still need to practice good habits.

Last night I went to bed around 9:30pm, and had a great day today. I’m thinking of changing my habit goals by shifting the sleep habits a few minutes earlier. Maybe instead of “bed by 10pm,” I’ll change the goal to “bed by 9:45pm.” Or instead of “no TV shows started after 9pm,” I’ll change it to “no TV shows started after 8:30pm.” I’ll give it some thought.

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