2. Preparing for the Onion Experiment

Sarah knew she had to get ready well before starting her week-long bedtime onion experiment. She first looked at the best kinds of onions to use, then decided on organic white onions because of their high sulphur concentration. She bought a week’s supply so she would have fresh onions every night the experiment was underway.
Sarah also thought about the ideal preparation strategy. After some thought, she decided to maximise the surface area exposed to the air by slicing each onion thickly, around half an inch wide. She intended to arrange these slices on a small plate on her nightstand, just enough to inhale the vapours but not so near as to be overpowering.
Sarah started a sleep log to guarantee reliable observations. She intended to note several elements every night and morning, including her sleep length, frequency of waking during the night, general quality of sleep, and any nightmares or unexpected events. She also chose to record any variations in her general health, energy level, or mood over the day.
Knowing the need of controlling factors, Sarah promised herself to keep her regular bedtime schedule as much as feasible. This included following normal evening rituals, avoiding screens one hour before bed, and keeping consistent sleep and wake timings. The inclusion of the onion slices close to her bed marks only one difference.
Sarah also set her bedroom for the experiment ready. She advised her boyfriend about the experiment to prevent any surprises and guaranteed good airflow to prevent the onion smell from becoming too strong. Curious about what the week may offer, Sarah felt ready to start her odd trip into the realm of bedtime onions, all the preparations in place.
Apart from her physical preparations, Sarah also gave some mental time to get ready for the experiment. She admitted that first felt weird or uncomfortable the presence of onions in her bedroom. She worked on mindfulness strategies and positive affirmations to offset any possible negative expectations. She reminded herself of the possible advantages and entered the experiment open-minded, ready to welcome whatever events may find her path.