More Hustle, Less Sleep? Good Sleep Is the Key to a Luxurious Life.

Have you ever felt like you have everything in order, yet there’s always something you still long for? Or the opposite — that you finally have time to relax, but your mind keeps finding things to worry about? Even here, in a place where my days should be filled with calm and ease, I catch myself with my head always busy.

Maybe that’s the effect of having more time — you start thinking about things you hadn’t paid attention to before. Lately, one topic has forced itself on me: my sleep. Or rather, the lack of it.

I’ve never really had trouble sleeping before, so why now? Why am I lying awake at night, worrying about why I can’t fall asleep? Sleep was always taken for granted — something you just do without thinking. But once you start losing it, you truly realize how much luxury is hidden in a good night’s rest.

And it’s luxury in every sense. Forget productivity hacks, morning routines, or miracle cures — the one real secret to a productive and fulfilling life?

Eight hours of deep, uninterrupted sleep.

Sometimes it is better to feel how you have slept rather than looking at your tracker

Of course, I looked for the cause. What is different now than before?

Physically, I get enough exercise, so that’s not the problem. But mentally, maybe I need more stimulation. What I initially overlooked was that switching to two meals a day might not be enough fuel for my body. I’ve since adjusted that. And then there was the 75-day challenge I enthusiastically announced on my blog. Ten days later, I had to disappoint my daughter: I stopped using the app. Not because I don’t agree with the principles — on the contrary, I still follow most of them. I eat healthy, avoid alcohol, and stay active. But the strict tracking and checking off felt like a chore, and that backfired.

A few weeks ago, my brother sent me a message that touched me:

“Let life happen to you as much as possible and try to plan as little as possible. Try to let go of what you can’t control. You didn’t choose Spain for nothing — this lifestyle belongs there.”

Beautiful words. Too bad he lives so far away.

So I decided to follow the challenge my own way. If I read eight pages instead of ten, that’s fine. If I do an intense workout one day, it’s okay to take it easier the next. A luxurious life is not about rigid discipline, but about consciously choosing what’s good for you — not what’s imposed on you.

There was one part of the challenge that only worsened my sleep: the large amount of water I had to drink. At first, I stuck to the recommended amount, but I soon adjusted it to two liters a day (from 4L). Even that was too much, as it meant constant nighttime trips to the bathroom. No matter how early I stopped drinking in the evening, the pattern repeated. And once you’re awake, the thinking starts. And once you start thinking, falling back asleep becomes a challenge in itself...

Good sleep boosts your:

• immune system

• memory

• decision-making

• creativity

• mood

• ability to truly enjoy life

The list goes on, but I’ll leave the rest to Matthew Walker (Why We Sleep).

Because of this, I’ve tried almost everything to improve my sleep. I followed “8 steps to better sleep” and introduced two other things that helped break this pattern.

The first came from my wife, Mildred, who read an article that changed my perspective. Instead of worrying about whether I would fall back asleep, I started focusing on “how nice it is just to lie in bed.” A subtle but effective mindset shift.

The second came from a friend who introduced me to something new: Yoga Nidra. Also called “sleep yoga,” but more for the mind than the body. He sent me a 45-minute YouTube session, narrated by someone with a monotone English accent. I’ve played it four times now — and have never stayed awake until the end.

That’s how well it works.

If you’re curious: 🔗 Yoga Nidra by Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati.

Let rest and relaxation wash over you, and deep sleep will follow naturally

For now, I’m happy to say I’ve slept wonderfully the past few nights.

Let’s hope it continues because good sleep is the key to a luxurious life.

In our Life Lovers community, I’m curious about your experiences. A luxurious life is not just about big dreams and exclusive experiences but also about the small things that truly make life pleasant — like a long, uninterrupted, restorative night’s sleep.

Want to share something with us? Click here

Sunny regards,

Carlo

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Key points:

• Sleep is a luxury: good sleep strengthens your health, creativity, and mood

• Change habits: small adjustments in your routine can improve your sleep

• Listen to your body: create balance and stay flexible in your approach to sleep

Click below to continue your journey to better sleep and make sure the key points from this blog stay woven into your life:

Life Inspiration (book recommendation): Why We Sleep, here

Life Hack (exercise): number 04, here