(Spoiler Free)Does The Walking Dead Have You Waking Up Dead?

What are we doing?

I get it. It’s a popular show. There’s heroes, there’s villains, there’s drama,  there’s tension, there’s conflict, there’s ZOMBIES.

The numbers are huge. People can’t wait to see it each week.

But for a large number of Americans, it’s the last thing that they’re watching before they go to bed on a Sunday night. The last thing they watch before they have to get up on Monday and start their week.

I’ll admit it. I’m not a huge advocate of AMC’s “The Walking Dead”. I think the show has an overall tone of despair rather than hope, though many might disagree. Years ago before it became a television show I had read the graphic novels. I know the television show has taken different paths than the graphic novel series, but so I’m also aware that the stories are not particularly uplifting.

I guess I’m concerned about what’s going into people’s heads before they start their work week. I think it has an effect on people.

Let me be clear: I’m not telling people to not watch the show. Thank God for DVRs and the ability to watch this whenever you want.

I also know that people don’t want to get story plots spoiled by social media. They want to be in the know of what’s going on with their favorite characters.

But at what cost? At the expense of a restful night’s sleep? At the expense of waking up the next morning feeling drained from last night’s show and now having to find the energy to go to a job that you probably don’t enjoy or have passion for?

Guard your pre-bed time. Treat it sacredly. It sets the tone for the rest that your body wants and needs. Be careful of what you are “consuming” before you sleep. You wouldn’t eat a bunch of greasy, hot and spicy food followed by some beer and shots and then hit the hay would you? (Perhaps some of you would, but that’s for another time and another discussion) You’d reap the consequences of those actions.

May I recommend staying away from heavy, tension filled shows just before you go to bed. I’d recommend that with news as well. Your body is physically reacting to negative input and it won’t help you get rest. If you must watch your show before the day is done, try padding the time before you actually go to sleep with something a little more light, a fun fiction book, soothing music, prayer whatever.

The more that you can get the rest you need to refresh your mind, body and spirit the better. If you have to watch Rick and the survivors of the zombie apocalypse, just make sure it won’t effect your health and well being. You’ll want to have a little something left in the tank if you ever need to get away from “walkers.”

What are your practices before you go to bed? Favorite books? Favorite teas? Share your stories here or on my Facebook page.