Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep. ~Fran Lebowitz
It's 4 AM, and I've been up for about half an hour -- I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. When I first looked at the clock, I misread it and thought it said 4:40, and I thought well, it's almost 5 AM, I can get up. But when I did get up and turned on the coffee and looked at the clock again, it was 3:40 . . . It was. I checked all the clocks to be sure.
So here I am, up with the little kitty, who of course wanted to get up too, the minute she heard some action happening in the kitchen.
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I feel as if I haven't had a decent night's sleep since I was pregnant, 27 years ago. Of course I know that's not strictly true, but that's how it feels. It's hard to sleep when you're pregnant, and then when you have a child you never get any sleep, what with getting up to make sure they're still breathing, getting up to nurse, getting up to walk a toddler back to bed, getting up with a child who's sick . . . on and on. And then, if you came to motherhood late, as I did, before you know it, you're heading toward menopause, and then you can never sleep. And of course we know that seniors live on about 3 hours of sleep. So there you have it.
I wish I could nap, but I can't, generally. My Loved One, who spends most of his working day in the car, can pull over to the side of the road and nap for a refreshing 10 minutes, or take a quick nap before dinner (or after dinner), and when he goes to bed at night can fall asleep almost immediately, while I'm left staring at the ceiling. I, on the other hand, have to go through a ritual to get to sleep in the daytime -- set the alarm for 90 minutes, turn on a fan for white noise, turn on a babbling brook for relaxation, read for half an hour, catch myself at just the right sleepy moment to close the book and close my eyes . . . and then half the time I don't actually sleep. Sigh.
More and more, researchers are finding that sleep is critical to our well-being. I'd like the opportunity to find out if that's true, but it's now 4:18 and I don't think I'm going to get that chance today. How do you get to sleep -- and stay asleep?
Oh, by the way, here's the fellow who can fall asleep at the drop of a hat -- he looks pretty well rested, no?
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15 comments:
... after six kids and years of "things on my mind" I was looking forward to lots of sleep as I got older. This "menopause" thing... the more I hear about it, the more I want nothing to do with it. I was SHOCKED when I learned it lasted longer than three or four months! All I can say, is if hubby thinks I keep the house to "cold" at 74 degrees, watch out!
Some people don't need a lot of sleep. I hope you aren't tired all the time. (and photography is awesome early outside in the morning light!) And I love waking up early with my kitty... my dogs barely raise their heads and look at me like "please be quiet"!
I'm not always a good sleeper either. I very rarely take naps and if I do happen to fall asleep during the day it lasts about 10 minutes. My husband can sleep any time with no trouble. I hope you were able to get some rest!
Oh, it lasts longer than three or four months . . . and losing sleep isn't the only problem. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I still keep the house at 68, though. :)
I don't think I'm getting as much sleep as I need, for sure. I'm *always* tired. But being up with the kitty (who is now curled up, sleeping on my chest) while everyone else was sleeping was nice.
most nights i can fall asleep pretty well. but i'm often awakened by one of the dogs needing to go out. last night, due to impending storms and nervous dogs, i think i got maybe 4 hrs of rest. today is a big nap day!!! :)
you make me laugh. I went all through my 30's and 40's with serious insomnia. then my Dr. suggested a drug called Trazedone and guess what - I SLEEP! it is short-acting so the beauty of it is I don't wake up with any "hangover". that's how I get to sleep and stay there, for a good 7 hours! I do not like taking medications, but this one is so worth it. I hope you get some sleep tonight Elise!
i struggle to fall asleep also. sound like we have the same kind of husbands...mine eats dinner, sits in the recliner, and is snoring before i have the table cleared. jeesh.
This does not happen to me very often, but the one thing that I've heard from several people, is that when you are not sleeping, you should not just lay in bed. Apparently one can come associate sleeplessness with their bed. I sure hope you are able to sleep well soon Elise!
Thanks for the tips, everyone -- I appreciate it.
Well, I'm a bit late to the insomnia party -- :)
I fell asleep on the couch at 7 pm last night and woke up at 1 am. Have been awake ever since. My sleep patterns suck. I haven't had a good night's sleep since I turned 40. That was 11 years ago...
:( Sorry! I sometimes wake up and think "it must be almost morning," so I get up and then the clock in the kitchen says 1:45, something like that.
Love the selective coloring photo! Such vibrant colors.
Good luck with the sleep dilemma. I also have issues trying to nap during the day. I need DARK to sleep!
Thanks very much, Amy..
have you ever tried meditation and Yoga for it...it fixed me!
Soooo sorry you can not rest your mind in a deep relaxing sleep.
have a great week my friend.
hug from Dubai,
lila
He he he! Sure, he looks happy and relaxed!
Loved your post! And as a womanI agree that with age it becomes more and more difficult to fall asleep! Thanks for sharing your beautiful pics too. And thanks for visiting and taking the time to leave a comment;o)
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Hope your week is going well****
Hello! I found you through Run *A* Round Ranch. Love your blog and will now follow you.
I can offer a few little things that may help. One is lavendar. It may sound silly but Bath and Body has wallflowers in lavender and a lovely spray. Very good at relaxing a person and lulls some to sleep.
I have a friend that has a handful of walnuts and dried cherries each night. She swears by them. She's recently gone through the change and had a terrible time sleeping too.
One last one, have you ever tried over the counter meletonin?
Good luck to you. May you find what you need to sleep well.
Jill
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