I read recently that it is vital to good health that you sleep enough each night, and that you should also sleep at the same time each night. For instance, if your body requires eight hours of sleep, as the average person's does, you need to be sure that you have a consistent bed time, or you run the risk of moving yourself into diabetes.
Dear Husband is in the early stages of diabetes. Some time ago, he decided to be good to himself, and most nights he goes to bed at 9:00. On very rare occasions, he will stay up later, but not too often. He needs less sleep than I do, and he also gets up earlier than I do. He rises at 4:30 during the week. As a business owner, he wants to be ready to start the job on time, without having had to rush to get there.
In my head, I KNOW that I need to be in bed by 9:00. I want to be rising at 5:00, so I need to be asleep at 9:00. Despite the fact that I know it, I still mess around with my going-to-bed times, and payback is HELL.
Sunday night I was up until 1:00 working on a project for my exercise class. We're sending boxes of comforts to the troops overseas. I needed to get things into boxes and fill out the custom forms, and get the boxes ready to be moved to the trunk of the car. At the time it seemed like I needed to be doing those things that late at night. It never occurred to me to go to bed, and risk getting it all done early in the morning.
So, on Monday, I dragged through the entire day. I chose not to nap during the day so that I would be tired, and ready to sleep at 9:00. Of course, it was the exceptional night when DH stayed up until 10:00! I hit the bed and was asleep in minutes....and at 11:30 I was wide awake! What the heck is going on with my body??
I dragged myself out of bed, and went to work in the office and listened to a book on disk. It was close to FOUR this morning before my eyes were finally getting heavy and I was able to get to sleep. I've been dragging around today, trying not to nap, so that maybe this evening I'll be able to get to sleep.
My hours are off. I really want to be an early morning person. It just works well. I get to see Dear Husband for a bit, I get dishes and laundry done early, and I'm ready to work in the garden when warmer weather arrives. Sleeping late makes it tough to get into the groove of the day, and I find I waste a lot of morning time when I sleep late. I don't understand why my body is fighting me on this issue, but I wish it would give in, and concede to my wishes!
If you have any tips to make sleep easier to find, and to keep, please let me know. My sheep are getting thin from all the exercise they're getting jumping over the fence. *G*
Comments (6)
Are you nuts!? Have you ever heard of hormones????
Posted by Nan | February 2, 2008 7:21 PM
Posted on February 2, 2008 19:21
Oh, you think its hormones? Hmmmm, wonder where I can get some?
In all seriousness, I hadn't thought about hormones as being a possible cause, and you're quite right. I'm at the right age for them to be out of kilter.
No caffeine in the evening, cut back on liquids before bed, and creating a quiet time before bed, were all suggestions you had for me this evening when we talked. All those would work to ease me into sleep. Thanks for the advice, sis! Perhaps by this time next week, I'll be sleeping soundly.
Posted by buffy | February 3, 2008 1:17 AM
Posted on February 3, 2008 01:17
I think that getting up and doing office work and listening to a book on tape were mistakes. The office work will suck you in and the book on tape was something you were interested in - so of course you didn't feel sleepy.
Posted by bogie | February 3, 2008 6:40 AM
Posted on February 3, 2008 06:40
Sure seems like it, Bogie. Usually paperwork can put me to sleep, but you're right about it sucking me in this time. Each little bit that was finished encouraged me to do a little bit more. I've never stayed up so late before. I think Nan's idea of taking an hour to slow down before bed is a good idea. If I end up getting up anyway, I'll be sure to pick something really dull to do! *G*
Posted by Registered User
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February 3, 2008 4:42 PM
Posted on February 3, 2008 16:42
I'm the worst one to ask for tips on sleeping Buffy. I'm one of those people who stay up late every night...most of the time at least until midnight...often later. It's almost always computer stuff. It's a bad habit to get into. I'm trying to do better, but it doesn't always work. I like to listen to music before I go to sleep...not so much to soothe me to sleep, but just because I like it. I'm sure I'm doing everything wrong for my health....and my body lets me know very often.
I've gotten up and gone to the computer when I haven't been able to sleep.....probably not the best choice. I hope you find an answer sweetie...
Posted by Joy | February 4, 2008 9:46 AM
Posted on February 4, 2008 09:46
Joy, I talked with My-Sister-The-Nurse, and discovered that she has been having a similar problem. She tells me that two Tylenol P.M.at bedtime will help. I need a little something on top of the prescription drugs to ease discomfort in ankles and knees and hips. This should work! And, I'm going to take everyone's advice and try to get back to regular hours.
Joy, if you don't have to be up early, perhaps your normal body clock tells you to go to bed at midnight. As long as you are consistent, the timing shouldn't matter. As for going back to the computer when you wake in the middle of the night, maybe you need to find something duller to do! *S*
Posted by Registered User
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February 4, 2008 1:29 PM
Posted on February 4, 2008 13:29