Hi Phil! The variety of human experience never ceases to amaze me, and while I am not denying a sundown effect exists, how we plan our days to take advantage of the ups and downs appears to be well beyond a single prescription. I have known all my life that I am at my most creative in the mornings. That hasn't changed (yet) at 68. Like you, after 7:00 in the evening, TV is about all that can hold my very limited evening attention. Yet, just last week my wife and I enjoyed dancing at a wedding reception until much later. That may not sound terribly creative, but it took some mental effort to coordinate my feet with the music. At the end of the day, my personal experience is that I am freer and more creative than ever at this point in life. I am no longer restricted by the social scripts that drove my earlier years, and the physical limitations I have, while at times very irritating, are no match for my liberty of thought and imagination in action.
As the summer heats sets in, I find I must change my routine to getting up and after a quick tea and newspapers scan, head for the pool immediately. Breakfast afterwards and then creative work. I have recently discovered a wonderfully energizing dietary addition of chia seeds and hemp hearts at breakfast both energizes and stablizes me to manage mundane business affairs, community work, a part-time job at a senior center, and creative work. At 79, I am interested in trying and learning new ways to stay feeling great and finding time to delve into mentally challenging creative work. Thanks for the post!
First, I find taking my 1/2 hour or more of moderate-to-vigorous exercise later in the day often reenergizes me on those days.
Second, bright light in the evening can disturb our circadian rhythm, especially when we don't pay attention to how much wake-up sky blue versus "drowsing in front of a fire" yellow-pink the white light source emits.
Hi Phil! The variety of human experience never ceases to amaze me, and while I am not denying a sundown effect exists, how we plan our days to take advantage of the ups and downs appears to be well beyond a single prescription. I have known all my life that I am at my most creative in the mornings. That hasn't changed (yet) at 68. Like you, after 7:00 in the evening, TV is about all that can hold my very limited evening attention. Yet, just last week my wife and I enjoyed dancing at a wedding reception until much later. That may not sound terribly creative, but it took some mental effort to coordinate my feet with the music. At the end of the day, my personal experience is that I am freer and more creative than ever at this point in life. I am no longer restricted by the social scripts that drove my earlier years, and the physical limitations I have, while at times very irritating, are no match for my liberty of thought and imagination in action.
As the summer heats sets in, I find I must change my routine to getting up and after a quick tea and newspapers scan, head for the pool immediately. Breakfast afterwards and then creative work. I have recently discovered a wonderfully energizing dietary addition of chia seeds and hemp hearts at breakfast both energizes and stablizes me to manage mundane business affairs, community work, a part-time job at a senior center, and creative work. At 79, I am interested in trying and learning new ways to stay feeling great and finding time to delve into mentally challenging creative work. Thanks for the post!
What a timely essay! I was thinking about the sundown effect yesterday while I was writing during my best hours, which are always before noon.
Two comments.
First, I find taking my 1/2 hour or more of moderate-to-vigorous exercise later in the day often reenergizes me on those days.
Second, bright light in the evening can disturb our circadian rhythm, especially when we don't pay attention to how much wake-up sky blue versus "drowsing in front of a fire" yellow-pink the white light source emits.
Hi - I read and enjoy your blog. I'd like to refer a friend but cannot use 'mail' - here is her contact information:
Carol baldassari
baldassaricarol31@gmail.com
Thanks so much
Sabra