This funny little article I came across on FB recently has really given me some food for thought.  It’s an interesting look at our generation (Gen Y) and why many people our age seem unhappy and unfulfilled.

I liked this bit of life advice at the end:

“3) Ignore everyone else. Other people’s grass seeming greener is no new concept, but in today’s image crafting world, other people’s grass looks like a glorious meadow. The truth is that everyone else is just as indecisive, self-doubting, and frustrated as you are, and if you just do your thing, you’ll never have any reason to envy others.”

Last summer, a good friend of mine changed my life. She loaned me a copy of Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, an amazing manual of stories, encouragement, and preparation for welcoming a child into your life. The book also provides quite a bit of information on different methods and places of birth, which I found to be incredibly eye-opening.

I know that many of our readers live in various countries.  I am not familiar with childbirth regulations everywhere, and I also know that these regulations vary widely from state to state in the United States. Having had our first child, Julia Elise, this past May in our student housing apartment, I can speak very highly of the homebirth process. I know it’s not for everyone! I suppose I’m only hoping to accomplish what my good friend did last year for me, in sharing a book that enlightened me more than I can say and gave me ample food for thought.

Here are a few facts, and of course I’d be glad to answer any questions about my own experience!

I came across this blog post a while back.  I can’t remember how I stumbled across it, but I do have to admit the strange picture of the ostrich pillow drew me in.  The point of the post is pretty simple:

“Turns out that forcing your tired memory neurons to unduly fire during the siesta hours is simply not an effective strategy for surviving the cognitive slump: as sleep experts – and common sense – will tell you, simply hanging in there usually results in downslope concentration and recollection or, worse, bad decision-making and outright sloppy work. Finding a balance between immersion and relaxation that works for you is probably the key to successful brooding and typing about your topic of inquiry. And just like regular exercise and eating healthy are often recommended, sufficient sleep matters!”

What do you think? I like the idea!  Do anyone of you or  your student spouses take cat naps?

Could regular napping really help you get through the PhD?

-M.C.