Why Did I Sleep So Well? directory
- Initial observation, 9 possible causes
- Another possible cause: standing on one foot
- Sleep almost great, narrowing possible causes to two.
- Sleep great again, narrowing possible causes to two
- Sleep great again after only standing on one foot
- Someone else gets similar results
- Technical details
- How long I stand
- Eerie coincidence
- Patterns of discovery
- Comparison to other sorts of exercise
- What’s a good dose?
- How much I’ve been standing Comparison with conventional exercise.
- Two more people get similar results
- How long I stand (continued)
- Replication details
- The amount of time needed stops increasing
August 20th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Fascinating. I’ve found in the past that helping friends move always led to the best, most relaxing sleep in which I felt my body “letting go” of tension in a deep way. It seemed to be caused by picking up and carrying moderately heavy boxes significant distances and put them down. I was using muscles I don’t use, at least not that much.
I just did about 6 minutes of standing on each foot, alternating until it became very difficult; I used it as a chance to meditate which I do a lot of anyway lately. I had my head slightly down hands in together on my chest as is done in walking meditation, and I kept my eyes fixed and followed my breath as I do when I normally meditate; as I get lost in my thoughts I gently pull myself back to attending to my breath…
I did notice some soreness in my hips and knees, so I changed feet when it got unpleasant…
I’ll do it again tonight and see what happened.
August 20th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
One more comment; I just tried standing on one foot with both arms out — more bang, or muscle usage, for your buck. My arms had to come down before my leg did. Then I switched legs and put my arms out again. I feel stronger relaxation then when just doing it on one leg.
This is interesting!
August 20th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
That’s a good idea, Tim. When I stand on one leg I’m pulling up the other leg behind me so I am using the muscles of one arm.
August 21st, 2008 at 6:24 am
Seth, this is so great! I have been doing this most days for about a week. I can do it longer when wearing shoes than when barefoot. It also forces people like me, who usually hit the floor running, to find a few minutes for much needed centering and contemplation. I’m assuming that it is best done in the morning to affect sleep that night? Can’t you just see all of us in other time zones standing on one leg while you are sleeping deeply? Now, if I could just tuck my head under my armpit…
August 21st, 2008 at 6:59 am
Thanks, Darkhorse. I don’t think the time of day matters much (but I’m just guessing, I haven’t studied this). I’ve been doing two bouts in the morning and 2 later in the day. As you say it’s something to actually look forward to, there’s something pleasant about it.
August 21st, 2008 at 7:58 am
i’ve tried standing on one foot, for about two days, and it seems i was markedly more anxious the next day. i’ll try this more to see if the effects seem connected or if it’s accidental. i didn’t stand on one foot yesterday and i think also the day before iirc, and didn’t feel as anxious the following days as on the days following standing on one foot. so maybe i’m experiencing energy that causes some anxious feeling.
August 23rd, 2008 at 5:56 am
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August 27th, 2008 at 6:11 am
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August 29th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
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September 15th, 2008 at 11:36 am
[…] Finally, there have been all sorts of studies through the years linking lack of sleep and obesity. If you’re trying to catch more Zs, try what Shangri-La Diet mastermind Seth Roberts (who will soon be sharing his wisdom at Tsinghua University in Beijing) has been experimenting with: standing more on one foot. He’s been chronicling things that might be playing a role in sleeping better or worse and says standing up for long periods of the day, particularly when some of that time is spent on just one foot, seems to help him sleep better. We don’t know if it works, but would love to hear about it if you try. […]
May 22nd, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Standingon one foot, and on both feet are well known practices in oriental exercise. For your reference: Stalking Yang Lu-Chan
By Robin Johnson
http://books.google.com/books?id=36FkmdsrV8AC
have fun in China!