To sleep, perchance to live a normal life

[quidditchgrrl]

It's ironic that I started this entry at 5am, because I was up and couldn't sleep!  (Actually, I caught a bit of cold at the race on Sunday - 45:16, pace 11:19/mile - which is why I was awake.)

Anyway, I'm giving this whole get-8-hours-of-sleep thing a real try.  I picked up Sleep to be Sexy, Smart and Slim because, well, I work at the lieberry and I can reserve skim the newest titles.

I've read many books about the hows and whys and wherefores of sleep, but when you don't sleep/can't sleep/never feel like sleeping, well.  The advice seems very restrictive (no caffiene 8 HOURS before bed?!) and kind of staid (what do you MEAN I can't peruse the internets right up until I nod off at the monitor?!).

Lately, I've realized the toll it's taken on my health.

Lately, I've realized the toll it's taken on my health.  It's very hard to run, or bike, or take an advanced step class if you're exhausted.  I have zero ability to focus, and my moods have been all over the place, not to mention my lack of good judgment (see last entry regarding my job).

While all of this was okay when I was younger (and could go for two full days with no sleep, two months on less than 5 hours a night, then crash and burn and sleep for two full days before starting all over again), it's turning my life into a nightmare of late nights, early mornings, unexpected days off (with the 24-hour "make-up" day to show for it).  It has to stop!

So, I grabbed this book and hoped it would work for me.  Oh yes, it has all the hallmarks of the other books - quit the caffiene before bed, stop staring at the PC, etc. - but it makes a great case for the biological and social benefits of sleep.  Also, I felt I could pick and choose what works best for me, and there was more room to work outside the lines with their advice.

My adjustments:
--Goal is 8-9 hours of sleep per night
--Off the PC one hour before bedtime
--Get ready for bed at that hour point, and come back downstairs if I want to watch TV in that last hour (rare for me)
--No reading political books or suspense novels in bed *slides 9/11: The Real Story out of view*
--Wake up at approximately the same time every day, not held to hard and fast rule
--Take 20 minutes of lunch hour to relax and be quiet, and let sleep come if it wants (I set my cell phone alarm and relax in my car at lunch)
--Take a short nap (20 - 90 minutes) between 1pm - 4pm, if I am tired
--Eat a small carb snack right before bed (toast!)

Notice no caffiene restrictions, no food restrictions, no workout restrictions.  The computer is the biggest one - I can easily find myself surfing Ebay and refreshing the flist at 2am.  Also, I've given up Jon and Stephen at their first air time, which is tough, but the internets, they know all.

I have been AMAZED at how much better I feel.  The stress reduction itself is worth every minute I feel I could be "doing something" - and my thought process has had more clarity as well.  Just a little 10-minute nap at lunch keeps the mid-afternoon slump away.

Working out hasn't been too much better, however - but I'm hoping that I'll find my stamina increasing over time.

I haven't heard anything on how the axe will fall on the job front, but I'm not too worried.  If anything, it will be a vacation, and I have temporary work lined up for whatever time I am off.

Comments

[adjudicated.livejournal.com]

I've also made adjustments to my sleeping schedule, although it is a work in progress. I had untreated sleep apnea, which exacerbated my daytime exhaustion, but that is not an issue anymore. Nevertheless, I follow a lot of the things you've listed above, and I find myself so much more functional in general.

I gave up daily caffeine when I had my surgery and I definitely notice sleep disruption if I drink it too late in the day (for me, that's past 6 p.m.)

I'm glad you're feeling better!

[nuclearpolymer.livejournal.com]

It's great that you figured out the sleep lack thing and have been able to see results already. Funny how our bodies don't come with very good instruction manuals.

[tonksnymphadora.livejournal.com]

Ever since I got my thyroid adjusted, I have been sleeping so much better. But those are really good tips.