Up All Night

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

It's 1:17 and I've been up since 1:00 - wait, DST ended today, so it's really 2:17, or I've been up since 12:00, or something. I know damn well I've been awake longer than 17 minutes.
I've been working on sleeping better. The stress load has dramatically lessened. House sold, current place in decent shape, the only current problem is foot surgery Tuesday and I've had to take it easy (off my feet) so not much exercise.
I put an app on my phone that reminds me to go to bed at 8 and wakes me at 8 AM. That has really helped me wind down earlier in the evening. I haven't inadvertently stayed up until midnight since getting the app. It also turns the phone off, so no interruptions from it. That helps. I also take melatonin and magnesium gluconate at bedtime and I don't eat or drink anything after 6PM. It all helps, but there are still occasional nights like tonight when I got to sleep at 10 and I'm up in the middle of the night, wide awake, no idea why. And and nights like last night when I can not get to sleep. Normally I do get to sleep by 10, but last night I could not get to sleep until 1 AM.

OK, I'm just rambling here. Time to (try) to get some sleep.
Carry on.

Just a note: being on your computer at 1 because you can't sleep isn't helping!

I have a lot of trouble sleeping. My mind will turn on thinking about things and I can't sleep. I have found that just telling myself "there's nothing you can do about it now" helps. I see you mention the time when you're waking up. If you have an alarm clock in your room, get rid of it and use your phone as an alarm so you aren't looking over and getting upset because of the time and you're not looking at the clock to figure out how long you've been awake.

Something else that seems to trigger my problem is eating close to bedtime. I was diagnosed with acid reflux, I knew what time I was awake without looking at a clock. When I started watching what I was eating and when, I had an easier time falling asleep and staying asleep. Having a small glass of wine helped too! I know it goes against most conventional thought about alcohol and sleep problems but it did help. My latest issue is a really sore elbow that will wake me up. Getting older isn't for the weak!

[Schrup]

I've worked rotating shifts for almost 20 years. My sleep patterns are awful, I have to get it when I can. Exercise is essential if I want to sleep more than 5 hours. I get 7 hours of sleep maybe twice a month unless I'm super active. I don't normally have a problem falling asleep, it's staying asleep or falling back to sleep. When things get bad I rely on my Kindle. I can turn it down so it doesn't bother my wife & usually fall back to sleep within the hour.

I track my sleep on a FitBit & seem to average about 6 hours. I try not to stress over what this means for my longevity. I can retire in a few years, but would like to work another 10.

[wdfifteen]

I use the Fitbit too. It does help in diagnosing things because it records when I’m restless but not awake. I stopped eating or drinking after 6 due to experimenting with it and seeing what the Fitbit recorded. I have fewer episodes of restlessness.
I do most of what you suggested Nick, thanks. But when I’ve run through my repertoire of getting back to sleep tricks and I’m still wide awake I forget about sleeping, have a glass of wine and do whatever. I DO NOT turn on the TV or read the news, however.

[Ziggythecat]

There is a very good Ap called relax and sleep.
Free download, but buying the 2.99 sleep programs might be the best money you ever spent.
Rather than picking up your iPad, or whatever you use, plug in some headphones, and this ap will either put you back to sleep, or allow you to spend those hours in a deep relaxed state, as close to sleep as possible.
I’m sure you’ve heard the warnings about how screentime at night can disrupt your sleep.
Also, a few other sleep aid sos out there, but this one works very well.
A quick Ap store search will reveal a plethora of sleep and relaxation aids.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I use the Fitbit too. It does help in diagnosing things because it records when I’m restless but not awake. I stopped eating or drinking after 6 due to experimenting with it and seeing what the Fitbit recorded. I have fewer episodes of restlessness.
I do most of what you suggested Nick, thanks. But when I’ve run through my repertoire of getting back to sleep tricks and I’m still wide awake I forget about sleeping, have a glass of wine and do whatever. I DO NOT turn on the TV or read the news, however.

I know what you mean! Sometimes when I have told myself that there's nothing I can do about what's on my mind at 2 a.m for long enough, I just end up getting pissed off at myself for nagging!
Someday Ohio will legalize recreational weed and we'll all be a bit fatter but at least we'll be able to sleep.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by cabmando

....
Someday Ohio will legalize recreational weed and we'll all be a bit fatter but at least we'll be able to sleep.

That just "might" help....seriously...

A beddy-bye bong

Beats the hell out of ambien too imo...I (in Patrick's situation), would not give a crap about the legality either...

"Whatever gets you through the night....it's all right" - Somebody

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by KC911

Beats the hell out of ambien too imo...I (in Patrick's situation), would not give a crap about the legality either...

My neighbor was the county prosecutor, and a health food, naturopathic (?) nut. She recommends weed. Didn’t grow any this year because all I knew about her until recently was that she was the county prosecutor. Next year....
On that subject, Nick, if you have not voted yet take close look at issue 1. On the surface it sounds good, but my neighbor pointed out that, as written, that amendment would make possession of ANY AMOUNT of fentanyl or any other drug a misdemeanor. Not good.

[fintstone]

Sorry to hear you are still having this problem. I don't get much sleep either. Usually go to bed around 2am. Some times don't sleep at all. I have to be up by 4:30 about half the time and about 7 AM the rest. I hit the wall at about 2PM...and really need a nap (but, of corse cannot do so at work). Once I get past that, I am good until I get home (about 8-8:30PM). Still have stuff to do, so can't go to bed until about 10:30 (or later)...but wide awake by then. I am beat at 2 AM and crash easily and sleep soundly. Been like this for about 20 years for me. Did a lot of shift work and all-nighters at least once a week until I was in my 40's. Probably not very healthy (but am seemingly in good health). I do consume a huge amount of caffeine.

When I get a lot of physical/muscular activity, it makes it worse. I fall asleep quickly, but my old muscles wake me up. I bet this is a lot of your problem as shoveling manure and moving stuff is hell for me (afterwards).

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

My neighbor was the county prosecutor, and a health food, naturopathic (?) nut. She recommends weed. Didn’t grow any this year because all I knew about her until recently was that she was the county prosecutor. Next year....
On that subject, Nick, if you have not voted yet take close look at issue 1. On the surface it sounds good, but my neighbor pointed out that, as written, that amendment would make possession of ANY AMOUNT of fentanyl or any other drug a misdemeanor. Not good.

I looked into it and came to the same conclusion... not good when you look at the current issues in Ohio.

[cabmandone]

Btw, you people and your shoveling... go buy one of these for about 9k and quit using your back. The one pictured was a low hour machine and brought more but you can find these things with around 12-1500 hours for about 7500-9000.



And yeah... I get to play with all the cool toys.

[wdfifteen]

Awake and up early tonight. It's 1:15. Went to bed at 10:00. Took half an Ambien a couple of minutes ago, so if I start babbling - that's why.
Mrs WD and I were talking about the songs that run through our heads as we go about the day. I don't know what it means when these songs pop into your head and won't stop running. Today I stopped a few times and paid attention to which songs were running.

Tears of Rage (Richard Emanuel)
Some Motown song I can't identify
The original theme song from Captain Kangaroo - the one with the screeching violins
Ophelia (The Band)
Some random guitar blues riff that I'm trying to learn.
Snake Farm - the Paul Thorn version

I have no idea why play lists like this run through my head. I hope there is no deep psychological meaning to it - Captain Kangaroo and Snake Farm? That can't be good.

[Sooner or later]

In between thunderclaps I'm watching Godzilla destroy Tokyo . Dude had some bad breath. Killed him with Alka Seltzer tablets.

[KevinTodd]