Another BlogFEST entry....Go here (click) to see more entries for today
Today's host is ... Susan M. Dusterhoft and her entry can be found here (click)
What keeps you awake? That is Susan's question for the day.
I am a great sleeper. I can literally sit down or lie down and fall asleep. Almost without fail, I will just nod off for an hour or maybe two. That is during the day or evening. Now at bedtime, which for me is usually between 2 and 3 a.m, I may or may not drift off easily.
If my brain is working things out, trying to figure out where I need to be or what I need to do, I may be awake well into the morning. I have about one of these every couple of months. I don't really see it as a problem because I know it is my inability to settle my brain that keeps me awake. I have learned that once I figure out what I can do or realize I can do nothing, I can sleep. I credit prayer with this relief.
Let Go ~ Let God = good night's sleep.
I also find that using a fair amount of physical energy during my day is necessary for a really good night's sleep. If I have been sedentary most of the day, say writing or reading and not moving around much, I will likely wake up throughout the night. Easily falling back to sleep, but waking not very well rested. I apparently require a certain amount of getting off the buns and moving about to earn a full night's sleep.
On the very rare occasion that sleep eludes me and my brain is calm, I blame the total lack of hormones in my body and therefore, my inability to cool my body. It will, every now and then, flair up and try to cause my entire being to spontaneously combust. Those nights require a trip outside. If it's winter a quick trip to the deck for a few minutes will work. If it's summer, I may have to step into the pool to cool myself. Once the fire is extinguished, I can usually fall right to sleep.
Oh, this aging thing is just a riot. Something new every year!
Jo
Maybe it's hormones for me too! Not sure, but I do know that when I am hotter than normal, I can't sleep well either. Since I don't have a pool, I have an icepack that I sleep on or one of those Chillows that helps me on those nights.
ReplyDeleteThose are great! I think they make it work. Anything that will cool you quickly or continually seems to be the key.
DeleteI can't sleep if I am hot either...but I can sleep like nobody's business if it is cold in my room!! My issue isn't so much that I can't sleep --but that the kids won't let me sleep...because I sleep at an untraditional time. If I really can't sleep--detail cleaning a room or reading that engineering manual will knock me out. :D
ReplyDeleteGreat post Jo ♥
I also like a very cold bedroom. My poor husband has learned to just get another blanket because it will NOT be too cold for his overheated wife. lol
DeleteMe too, am also sleeping so well these days. But it wasn't always like that. Read my post here.http://stuartfish.com/wordpress/what-if-you-cant-get-to-sleep/
ReplyDeleteYours is a great post. Thanks. Stuart
Excellent post Stuart! I just came from reading it and I see similar patterns for us. Oh, and the great bed is key!
DeleteGreat entry Jo!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Claudia.
DeleteI've learned to shut my brain down for a while before going to sleep - restarting it is the problem! ;)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good plan.
DeleteI loved your closing line. Well loved the post too....so darn true, every bit.
ReplyDeleteThanks and the aging thing? Yeah, it sucks some days and rocks the next!
DeleteI have absolutely got to have it cold in the room to sleep! Oh and many blanket pulled up to my nose with my doggies all around me. ♥
ReplyDeleteKathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com
I would prefer the furbabies to be on the floor in their own cuddly beds, but they prefer our bed! They win. Otherwise, the cool room is my choice and a good soft blanket for sure.
DeleteI can't sleep if it's too hot - not that that happens very much here in the UK! I don't have A/C, but if it IS hot, I put an electric fan on a chair, so that it wafts cool air over the bed - and then I can sleep like a baby!
ReplyDeleteWe have a ceiling fan that runs all year long. High all summer and low all winter. I need to be cool.
DeleteI work out in the gym mid mornings and so I sleep like a log in the afternoons. Am blessed with sleep I think...but, touch wood.
ReplyDeleteI love it! I started running in April of this year. Even that does not tire me out enough to get me to sleep. :(
ReplyDeleteSleep is tricky for some. It might well be the mind that needs to tire so that you can sleep peacefully. Maybe?
DeleteYou might be right. I'm not exactly sure how to accomplish that. Running is good for the soul, great for the muscles, calms my brain, but does not tire my mind. :o)
DeleteIt's the same with me, if I skip going to the gym, I can't sleep.Growing old is a bummer :( I am nearing my half century and my hormones are crazier than a yo-yo.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya! I don't really mind aging, I just wish my body would understand that my mind is 22! Somewhere in the middle of 22 (mental) and 62 (actual) should be what my body is capable of doing. Sadly, it isn't true.
DeleteGreat post Jo, especially your closing. Don't have any problem with hot flashes but I sleep much better in a cold room. I also notice that the amount of physical exercise during the day makes a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteIt really does and days at the keyboard are not conducive to a good night's sleep unless I really came to the end of the brain dump. Then the mental exhaustion will allow me to sleep.
DeleteYou and I are alike in that way :-)
ReplyDeleteyep! we are.
DeleteI don't stress out when I can't sleep, I know it will happen, so I relax in the darkened room, and eventually doze off....
ReplyDeleteLucky you. That technique only works if you have mind control. Gotta be able to turn off the brain or just learn to hand it over to God and he'll let you sleep!
Delete