February 7th, 2008I Can’t Get No Sleep
The last few weeks have been pretty hard on me, with several things remaining fresh in my mind regardless of how much I try to push it away temporarily. Normally this isn’t an issue, as I’m quite good about delegating stress and worries to other parts of the brain where I can just ignore them for a few hours and get some decent sleep. However, this hasn’t been an option recently.
For the last month or so, I’ve fought with the Sand Man. It hasn’t been a very enjoyable battle, and I’ve been losing more often than not. Since last Tuesday, any night where I can get more than four hour’s sleep has been a “good night”. Most of the time those Serta sheep are often jumping the fence right up to number 500,000.
Fun? Wow.
What really bugs me about this problem is that I’m one of those people that needs a solid six hours of sleep per night minimum in order to be pleasant the following day. Without this amount of unconscious time, functioning and remaining polite and courteous is one heck of a chore. Thank God for coffee!
I’ve tried everything to solve this, too. From watching boring documentaries about tree bark (I seriously have a National Geographic documentary on tree bark to watch), to writing notes for future blog topics, nothing has helped take my mind of the list of things I need to do, should do, and must aspire to do. Not only at home, but at work and in life. The list is becoming almost endless, while my resources are anything but. Unfortunately, this has also interfered with my post schedule.
There are lots of topics that are waiting to be typed out and polished off. Heck, I have eight good posts waiting for their final revision and publication stored on my iPaq. That said, I don’t really feel like discussing those topics when I’m so tired, yet can’t sleep. So that means they’ll just sit on the machine and wait until I’m good and ready to examine them and put the finishing touches on the grammar and vocabulary, while adding links and images to enhance its relevance.
Unfortunately, this is hardly the best way to maintain or build readership for this site.
So how do you get around the whole insomnia thing? In the past I’ve used meditation and boring documentaries, or reading a tech-heavy book … but these things just aren’t working anymore. Perhaps it’s time for the big guns to come out … exercise before bed!
Then again … perhaps not :???:
why hello old friend.. im back.. ahhaha
Welcome back, Prija. I was beginning to think that you and MsDanielle had run off together for lack of posting
Will you have any particular direction on your new site?
I read a good book for a bit. That always settles me down. Then I pick up a tech manual covering a subject that I know nothing about - I’ve always got one around.
I rarely make it through the first chapter.
Yeah, I’ve been re-reading several of my books over the last few nights, and it’s reminded me just how much I missed the adventures contained within. However, it tends to keep me awake as the brain gets to live through the adventures once again
Perhaps I’ll pick up some manuals on antique fine china and 17th century farm technologies … if they don’t knock me out, nothing will.
I think you should exercise more. Life is all about balance between the mental and physical. Sounds like you’ve got a lot going on in your head and so its important to work it out physically. Go for some long walks with your fiance or even by yourself! Maybe ride a bike, join a gym, or always take the stairs. If you are physically tired then I can’t see how you will continue to lose sleep. You’ll also sleep better and feel more renewed the next day. Exercise is important!
Yeah, I should exercise more. The problem with that, though, is that I’d need to exercise between 11 pm and 2 am, as those are the only times of the day when I’m not doing anything in particular.
Well … that’s when I tend to my blog
I’m really looking forward to mid-May when Reiko and I can finally start to relax a little bit. We’ll have our new home and the wedding will be done (and a complete success), so we’ll have some time to catch our breath and start to plan for the next phase of our lives.
Once we get through the really tough stuff, I’d love to get back into long distance jogging
Ok maybe this is a dumb idea, but how about going to bed earlier and waking up earlier.. Start your day off with a good workout.
It’s also good to have a more regular schedule. I understand that teaching in Japan you have to work until late. However, humans are designed for sleeping at night and this could be part of your problem. If you have a more typical schedule, your body may get better rest. Staying up late is bad and should be avoided at all costs, unless of course when you are on the occasional bender!
Ya, that would be optimal. Since childhood, I’ve usually been in bed and sleeping by 11-ish pm, which allowed me to wake up before 6 am fresh and relaxed. I’d love to get back into that routine.
Welcome to my world
I’ve had insomnia for years, tried pretty much everything, and nothing has really helped.
Have you tried being more active during the day? Like exercise, maybe even just a walk? Watching tv (boring or not) does not actually make you tired, as I’m sure you’ve discovered by now.
What’s your schedule like? Try getting into a routine, where you go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
Good luck! Stress/depression also makes it hard to sleep, I know all about that..
I hope to heck I don’t have any form of depression. There’s always lots to do and I just don’t have time for anything that could cause my productivity to falter. That, and it wouldn’t be fair to those around me. So, until such a time as to when depression is acceptable (super late retirement, perhaps?), I’ll keep it off my plate.
Usually five or six coffee’s back to back will solve any depression-like symptoms, anyways. Well … for me.
That said, I have changed my daily schedule, but it seems that Mike might be right and I’m staying up way too late. Perhaps I shoud try getting up sooner and going to sleep earlier, so I’ll give that a go starting this weekend.
Unfortunately, most of my old tricks for falling asleep haven’t worked out here in Japan and I haven’t been able to get more than 3 hours of solid sleep per night since early January. Something’s gotta give eventually
Hey Jason, this may be a little too ray of a suggestion but for more sleep I’d recommend more um ah… “lovin’”….. I was reading an article the other day and it was saying that after some “sweet lovin” different endorphins are released in your brain, and make it easier for you to sleep.. Come to think of it, more “lovin” is great exercise, is something you obviously you do with your partner(I remember you asking for suggestions on what to do for cheap dates in Japan.) Anyways this is one awesome answer which can be used to as the solution to many of your problems. Your welcome
Is that right, Mike? Hmm… I’ll have to try that myself!
I’m all for it, but there are a few problems with that solution. Unfortunately, I don’t have the option available for another few months … marriage or no.
I’ll run it by the wife and see what she says, though
Well Nick, I highly recommend it!
Good luck Jason!