Why am I not sleeping?

[whatevergirl]

I think we all do that-- when we have a few days off we think we HAVE to do all sorts of projects, and then we go back to work exhausted.

Give yourself permission to nap, read a book, watch mindless TV, or whatever tomorrow. Get rested up for Monday. Don’t put pressure on yourself to cook, clean, paint that room you’ve been meaning to do, etc. Just allow yourself a day without a schedule.

I slept 9 hours last night AND took a 2 hour nap today!!! Not feeling guilty. I need it. I have a lot going on with work right now and will be on the road most of July.

*Unfortunately, I must clean tomorrow…dh is working, and his brother is going to be in town this week, (from Pgh) soooooo…just when I thought I could take a break, I just want to get things clean for when he stays over. But, the kiddos are going to do their part…I said, if we all do one hour a piece tomorrow, that is like one person cleaning for three hours…that’s a lot! Can get a lot done.

So you slept 9 hours last night? I’m jealous! I agree that sometimes you just need that time…it’s our bodies telling us something. Good luck with your road trips this month…I sleep WORSE when traveling, how do you fare?*

 

[OLHope]

*Superwoman? haha I laughed reading that Oh I don’t think so! But, while I enjoy my career, I just think that everyone has the economy on their minds. I confessed last weekend about this, and I have been trying to kick the habit of worry, especially at bedtime. It doesn’t do anyone any good…doesn’t solve a thing. I had a great review recently at work, it is more my husband’s job, although they seem happy with his performance, you know…Disney and all, they are hurting too, and have been through three layoffs already that my husband dodged, praise be to God. So, that swirls in my mind now and again. I appreciate your replies, it helps me to know I’m not alone during my sleepless nights. :hug1:

“They” say that when you keep tossing and turning in the bed, you should GET OUT of the bed, and find something to do IN ANOTHER ROOM. Anyone ever try that? Reason behind this is that you will start associating the bed with NOT sleeping so you have to trick your brain and leave the room when you can’t sleep. Interesting, I thought.*

Congrats on the review! Yeah, I try to find something to do in another room. I will flip through channels, I think I have read every book and magazine in the house. I food prep for the next day. Separate laundry. Finish some computer projects. I’m ready to go out and clean the gutters, soon(I have never done this yet).

Yeah, yours is definitely stress related, I can’t believe you are becoming so adjusted to FL now, but the test of going back to PA is upon you guys now so pretty exciting stuff we are going to be hearing from you soon about the big family decision. I’ll pray for your dh situation, his work stress is another different kind of worry, as it is more unknown. Everything will work out fine.

 

[whatevergirl]

Congrats on the review! Yeah, I try to find something to do in another room. I will flip through channels, I think I have read every book and magazine in the house. I food prep for the next day. Separate laundry. Finish some computer projects. I’m ready to go out and clean the gutters, soon(I have never done this yet).

Yeah, yours is definitely stress related, I can’t believe you are becoming so adjusted to FL now, but the test of going back to PA is upon you guys now so pretty exciting stuff we are going to be hearing from you soon about the big family decision. I’ll pray for your dh situation, his work stress is another different kind of worry, as it is more unknown. Everything will work out fine.

Through prayer, I really have felt a calm about things. If we are meant to remain in Florida, I truly believe God will reveal a sign one way or the other. While the same ‘feelings’ mount up now and then, I am coping with it better, you know? My dh I know doesn’t want to go back, as he thinks it would be counterproductive, like going ‘back’ to something we left. We’ll see, though. We’ll know when we’re there, I think. I am just looking forward to some fun and seeing old friends and lots and lots of family! Thanks for your replies!

 

[whatevergirl]

*Hey, I slept better last night. Not 100% but better. I pushed myself hard today, worked out hard, and cleaned cleaned cleaned…so hopefully, I’ll just drop into bed tonight, and sleep the night away. I already feel sleepy…so, hopefully.

It dawned on me at mass today, of all places, that I have been taking antibiotics for an infected wisdom tooth (that I had pulled on Thursday) and so I’m wondering if meds like that can throw off your sleep balance. *

 

[OLHope]

Well it is my time of night and I do not see you posting anymore, so something worked! Woo Hoo!

I remember getting Vicodin for my wisdoms when I had them taken out all at once as a pain medication. I would be staring aimlessly at the wall or ceiling after taking it, the third time I took it, I also remember that that was when I found out I was allergic to it. - I had what was considered a 1% bad stomach cramp reaction. When I requested Ty3 they said it was probably the codeine I was allergic to, I was like greaaaat. So I cannot have either. Since I have never tried illegal drugs and have not needed legal drugs for some time, it was a wierd experience being lethargic when I normally do not have that pleasure anymore.

I don’t know what you have, but this is a pretty good list of drowsy medications:
wrongdiagnosis.com/symptoms/drowsiness/side-effects.htm

Plus the pharm bottle is supposed to state it right on there, or to not operate heavy machinery or drive after taking because it may cause drowsiness.

I need to state I am not a medical professional, this is just an experience I went through.

So this could be seen as some happy sleeping with help. In time maybe it will help naturally accustom you to an exact bedtime.

 

[ajc82]

Good morning, I pray that you slept well last night.
Insomnia is such a horrible affliction!! I suffer from primary insomnia, which means I have difficulty falling asleep initially, but once I sleep I usually stay asleep the rest of the night.
I believe wholeheartedly that prayer to St. Peter Damien helped to cure me of my insomnia. Peter Damien suffered from extreme bouts of insomnia. I started to seek his intercession in late February after a downward spiral in my sleeping. In early March I read a book that saved my life, Desperately Seeking Snoozing, by John Wiedman. I urge you to read this book, and to try his simple approach to curing insomnia. Read more about at insomniacure.com/
The basis of it is what is called sleep restriction therapy. This is based on the idea that insomnia sufferers tend to spend more time in bed than they need. This is because our bodies adjust to our lack of sleep by needing less sleep. The way to undo this cycle is to spend a period of time limiting your time in bed to the absolute minimum. This forces your body to stop messing around (i.e. waking you up at 4:00am for no reason) and sleep.
Doing this is really simple. All you need to do is to calculate the absolute minimum amount of sleep you need to function the next day. Then set a going to bed time and a waking up time that would equal that amount. I started out calculating about 5 hours a night, so I would stay up until 12:30 and wake up at 5:30. You need to be very disciplined about the time by going to bed and waking up at the same time EVERY day.
As time goes on you will regain your confidence in being able to sleep, plus your body will stop messing around keeping you awake. Then you can slowly add 15 minute increments to your sleep time until you reach a more comfortable amount of time. I’ve been doing the program since March, and I sleep now from 11:30 until 6:00. I fall asleep immediately almost every night, and I almost never wake up.
I am actually writing an article that puts Wiedman’s program into a Christian perspective using the ancient practice of vigils and contemplative prayer to treat insomnia. I’d be glad to share it with you when I am finished. I hope I can help others facing this affliction. I will begin praying for you. There is hope!!!

 

[ajc82]

I want to write a little more about how much time we think we need sleeping. It is a myth that everyone needs eight hours of sleep to function. This belief can actually perpetuate insomnia if we feel that we are not getting enough sleep according to the “experts.”
If someone wakes up in the middle of the night and starts to think about how much sleep they need the heart rate increases, negative thoughts surface and a cycle is created that can lead to conditioned insomnia.
Nearly all the church fathers tried to limit their sleep to a minimum. One of the desert fathers once said, “A monk only needs one hour of sleep if he is a fighter.” St. John Climacus says that we should picture sleep like our lying in the grave so that we won’t love it so much. He also says that sleep is a bad friend stealing half a man’s lifetime. Origen slept four hours a night so that he could study and pray.
Thinking like this will help an insomniac from stressing out in the middle of the night, which is completely destructive to sleep. Any sleep expert will tell you that one of the first things to do is to give up the notion that you NEED eight hours of sleep to function.
I recommend keeping a sleep journal and actually recording how you FEEL everyday. I notice that most times I feel basically the same if I have slept three hours or if I sleep eight.

 

[iluvmybabies]

I have had crazy nights where I can’t sleep well either…Sometimes I notice is when I am under stress or have a lot on my mind I don’t sleep well at all…Other times my body’s just been a bit off due to health, or kids-taking care of them when they are sick, etc…???

Other times I am just depressed and can’t get enough sleep, or feel just so anxious about something I can’t force myself to sleep! LOL

I will keep you in my prayers…

I haven’t had my wisdom tooth removed because of economic problems, but let me tell you it’s broken off really badly I have a whole in my mouth…really scary…Hopefully by next year if I don’t get an infection, I should be able to get that taken care of.

God bless whatevergirl and hope you start sleeping well soon.

 

[jmcrae]

I have had crazy nights where I can’t sleep well either…Sometimes I notice is when I am under stress or have a lot on my mind I don’t sleep well at all…Other times my body’s just been a bit off due to health, or kids-taking care of them when they are sick, etc…???

Other times I am just depressed and can’t get enough sleep, or feel just so anxious about something I can’t force myself to sleep! LOL

I will keep you in my prayers…

I haven’t had my wisdom tooth removed because of economic problems, but let me tell you it’s broken off really badly I have a whole in my mouth…really scary…Hopefully by next year if I don’t get an infection, I should be able to get that taken care of.

God bless whatevergirl and hope you start sleeping well soon.

A more objective test might be to keep a diary of what you accomplish each day, and see if it remains the same, regardless of how much sleep you get.

 

[whatevergirl]

A more objective test might be to keep a diary of what you accomplish each day, and see if it remains the same, regardless of how much sleep you get.

Funny you mention this. I have been wanting for a while to keep a sleep diary. I don’t know why I haven’t, but maybe you’re right…It would help me to figure out what the sleepness nights are about. I slept ‘better’ last night, but still…kept waking up…staring at the ceiling…argh! “TOM” is over…I am not sick, I have been eating right, not eating before bed…bla bla…BUT…I am in this state of panic now that I have not slept, that I won’t sleep. It’s strange how that happens. I am praying I sleep the whole night, tonight. Prayers for all of you who struggle with sleepness nights here and again…or frequently! *

 

[1ke]

Good luck with your road trips this month…I sleep WORSE when traveling, how do you fare?

Honestly, I’ve traveled so much my entire life that I can sleep just about anywhere. Usually the first night I’m attuned to new surroundings, noises, etc, and then the next night… zzzzzz…

Well, I have to go back to work tomorrow, so I hope I can sleep tonight!

 

[1ke]

I
Nearly all the church fathers tried to limit their sleep to a minimum. One of the desert fathers once said, “A monk only needs one hour of sleep if he is a fighter.” St. John Climacus says that we should picture sleep like our lying in the grave so that we won’t love it so much. He also says that sleep is a bad friend stealing half a man’s lifetime. Origen slept four hours a night so that he could study and pray.

And this is why I’m not a monk.

That and being female, of course.

 

[whatevergirl]

I want to write a little more about how much time we think we need sleeping. It is a myth that everyone needs eight hours of sleep to function. This belief can actually perpetuate insomnia if we feel that we are not getting enough sleep according to the “experts.”
If someone wakes up in the middle of the night and starts to think about how much sleep they need the heart rate increases, negative thoughts surface and a cycle is created that can lead to conditioned insomnia.
Nearly all the church fathers tried to limit their sleep to a minimum. One of the desert fathers once said, “A monk only needs one hour of sleep if he is a fighter.” St. John Climacus says that we should picture sleep like our lying in the grave so that we won’t love it so much. He also says that sleep is a bad friend stealing half a man’s lifetime. Origen slept four hours a night so that he could study and pray.
Thinking like this will help an insomniac from stressing out in the middle of the night, which is completely destructive to sleep. Any sleep expert will tell you that one of the first things to do is to give up the notion that you NEED eight hours of sleep to function.
I recommend keeping a sleep journal and actually recording how you FEEL everyday. I notice that most times I feel basically the same if I have slept three hours or if I sleep eight.

Sleep is necessary…
I don’t feel the same when I only get 3 hours as opposed to a full refresghing 8 hours. Studies have proven over and over again that lack of sleep can lead to stroke and heart disease…now, that is probably over the course of a while…not losing sleep here and there like I have been. But chronic sleep loss is not healthy…I will say though that what you post here helps me to see that losing a few nights isn’t the end of the world…I think we have a tendency when we’re laying there staring out into the darkness, to panic that somehow we’re going to hurt ourselves. It’s nice to see some other’s views, but I don’t believe that we can function properly on an hour (or 4) a night. Those monks make it sound like sleep is a sign of weakness. .

 

[iluvmybabies]

A more objective test might be to keep a diary of what you accomplish each day, and see if it remains the same, regardless of how much sleep you get.

Hi JMCrae, that does sound like something to give a try…Maybe it would help out…The only problem is once I start writing I end up falling asleep! LOL I will give it a try though…

 

[whatevergirl]

Hi JMCrae, that does sound like something to give a try…Maybe it would help out…**The only problem is once I start writing I end up falling asleep! **LOL I will give it a try though…

Bolded part mine. Maybe that’s the point!!

 

[iluvmybabies]

Sleep is necessary…
I don’t feel the same when I only get 3 hours as opposed to a full refresghing 8 hours. Studies have proven over and over again that lack of sleep can lead to stroke and heart disease…now, that is probably over the course of a while…not losing sleep here and there like I have been. But chronic sleep loss is not healthy…I will say though that what you post here helps me to see that losing a few nights isn’t the end of the world…I think we have a tendency when we’re laying there staring out into the darkness, to panic that somehow we’re going to hurt ourselves. It’s nice to see some other’s views, but I don’t believe that we can function properly on an hour (or 4) a night. Those monks make it sound like sleep is a sign of weakness. .

I have read about that…My mother sleeps for about 4-5 hours a day, and so does my grandma, and my bfs aunt and his mother…It’s weird because I think it’s an age thing. All these women are around the same age and they sleep for about 4-5 hours each day…Not sure where they get their energy from but let me tell you with them doing this I have noticed they always take a nap during the day from the exhaustion…I love my rest, I feel so refreshed after 7-9 hours of sleep, I have so much energy and can tackle on the world. When I have slept any where between 3-6.5 hours, I feel terrible. I have no strength and feel fatigued. It’s crazy because I am a light sleeper as well. That’s probably why I don’t sleep well. But I am just paranoid even in my sleep I can’t sleep! But there have been times, like lately, I have just knocked out, no noise can wake me up…I have literally blacked out in some crazy deep sleep but I wake up 5-6 hours later to go to work and I feel drained instead of energized…It’s really weird…

All I gotta say is you gotta admire monks…Because let me tell you for you to sleep a few hours a day/night and then have all the energy they have now that’s truly amazing! I know that I probably would have been passing out within a few hours of not sleeping fully!

 

[jmcrae]

I have read about that…My mother sleeps for about 4-5 hours a day, and so does my grandma, and my bfs aunt and his mother…It’s weird because I think it’s an age thing. All these women are around the same age and they sleep for about 4-5 hours each day…Not sure where they get their energy from but let me tell you with them doing this I have noticed they always take a nap during the day from the exhaustion…I love my rest, I feel so refreshed after 7-9 hours of sleep, I have so much energy and can tackle on the world. When I have slept any where between 3-6.5 hours, I feel terrible. I have no strength and feel fatigued. It’s crazy because I am a light sleeper as well. That’s probably why I don’t sleep well. But I am just paranoid even in my sleep I can’t sleep! But there have been times, like lately, I have just knocked out, no noise can wake me up…I have literally blacked out in some crazy deep sleep but I wake up 5-6 hours later to go to work and I feel drained instead of energized…It’s really weird…

All I gotta say is you gotta admire monks…Because let me tell you for you to sleep a few hours a day/night and then have all the energy they have now that’s truly amazing! I know that I probably would have been passing out within a few hours of not sleeping fully!

The monks I know sleep in the afternoons - I think they get 2-3 hours of sleep in the afternoon, and then 4-5 hours of sleep at night, which adds up to 6-8 hours of sleep a day. So, they’re not quite as tough as they appear.

 

[whatevergirl]

The monks I know sleep in the afternoons - I think they get 2-3 hours of sleep in the afternoon, and then 4-5 hours of sleep at night, which adds up to 6-8 hours of sleep a day. So, they’re not quite as tough as they appear.

I want a monk’s life.

 

[ajc82]

Dear Whatevergirl,
I am definitely not saying everyone should live like or a monk or that sleep is a sign of weakness. I mention the outlook on sleep the fathers shared because it is a way of undoing conditioned insomnia, which is what I suffered from for years until I read John Wiedman’s book.
My experience is that if I wake up in the middle of the night or have trouble falling asleep the absolute last thing I should ever think about is how many hours of sleep I need. That just causes me anxiety and my heart literally starts racing in the middle of the night. The key to overcoming insomnia for me has been to stop fearing to sleep less than eight hours a night. The perspective of the fathers on sleep has been a huge help for me in this regard.

              You are in my prayers,
                      Andrew

 

[whatevergirl]

Dear Whatevergirl,
I am definitely not saying everyone should live like or a monk or that sleep is a sign of weakness. I mention the outlook on sleep the fathers shared because it is a way of undoing conditioned insomnia, which is what I suffered from for years until I read John Wiedman’s book.
My experience is that if I wake up in the middle of the night or have trouble falling asleep the absolute last thing I should ever think about is how many hours of sleep I need. That just causes me anxiety and my heart literally starts racing in the middle of the night. The key to overcoming insomnia for me has been to stop fearing to sleep less than eight hours a night. The perspective of the fathers on sleep has been a huge help for me in this regard.

              You are in my prayers,
                      Andrew

*Sorry, I didn’t mean to seem snippy. It must be from lack of sleep.

I appreciate your posting, I think realizing that missing a few nights here and there isn’t the end of the world, but it’s been going on for a week now. Last night and the night before were BETTER, but didn’t sleep without waking up a few times. *