The Sleep Routine That Keeps A Psychiatrist Energized (Sans Caffeine)

I have always had a love affair with sleep. When I was younger, I felt like I was constantly chasing a residual sleep debt and found myself catching up on sleep on the weekends. 

The sleep debt began in high school. I went to the Illinois Math & Science Academy, a public residential magnet school where we all slept an average of about four hours per night. I remember always feeling tired but somehow I could never get myself on a sustainable schedule of adequate sleep. 

For years after, I chased a seemingly never-ending sleep debt until one day I was finally caught up and no longer tired. Now, many years later, I feel great with six to seven hours per night. 

I have my best night's sleep when I get into bed before midnight and wake up around 6 or 7 a.m. My biggest barrier to a solid night's sleep is getting in bed too late (which happens sometimes, especially now when I'm living in bustling Miami) or accidentally having something caffeinated to eat or drink in the evening. 

10 p.m.: If I'm home for the evening, I make myself a chamomile tea and begin to wind down for the day.

10:10 p.m.: I take a shower, brush/floss my teeth, put on some vegan, organic, cruelty-free moisturizers, and get into my comfy PJs.

10:30 p.m.: I get into my Shiftwave Chair for a 20-minute massage while listening to Joe Dispenza's 15-minute meditation on Gratitude or Joy.

11 p.m.: I set my alarm for the next day and drift off to sleep.

6 a.m.: I wake up bright and early to begin my day, lingering in bed for a few moments to see if any of my dreams come back to me. 

6:05 a.m.: After brushing my teeth and taking a shower, I drink a glass of room-temperature water with lemon. I do 20 more minutes on my massage chair while listening to a morning meditation.