You name it, I’ve tried it.
I cannot seem to get a good night’s sleep.
This isn’t anything new. Â I’ve always been somewhat of an insomniac. Â It runs in my family.
At work yesterday one of my colleagues suggested a sleep mask. Â That in combination with the “Best Rest Formula” from my chiropractor got me to sleep at 8:30 pm but after the stroke of 11:30 pm, I was up practically every hour.
I’m somewhat tired (no pun intended) of everyone’s advice. Â Of course I have solicited it so I shouldn’t complain.
Yesterday at The Dailey Method in Morgan Hill, where I’ve developed quite a few forty and fifty something friends in the same sleep deprived state, I got some interesting data.  (The names have been changed to protect the innocent.)  Janet takes Trazodone but only on the weekends because it makes her too groggy during the work week.  Annie takes Ambien but only on Tuesdays and Thursdays  so as not to get addicted.  I tried Ambien for a few weeks.  My niece was living with me at the time and one evening I was making dinner and found her peanut butter in the freezer.
“Sarah, why is your peanut butter in the freezer?” Â One look of disbelief from her and it all came back to me. Â It had been my midnight snack.
“Are you worried about something?” Â People ask. Â Actually, I am currently in a good space. Â But who doesn’t worry about something?
Am I going to get Ebola? Â What is going to happen when we get rid of all our books and paper and “the enemy” absconds with our internet? Â Why are girls at school melting down and having panic attacks in my office? Â Am I going to get to work on time with all this traffic? Â Will the Giants win the World Series? Â :)
Yesterday, at a stop light, I looked to my right and to my left at the people in the cars waiting for the light to change. Â They all looked pretty stressed out. Â The man to my right was running his hand through his hair like he’d had the day from hell. Â The lady on my left had a car full of unruly kids.
WE ARE ALL STRESSED OUT! Â But most people sleep anyway. Â Not me.
I save things for myself to do in the middle of the night. Â Empty the dishwasher. Â Fold clothes. Look through junk mail.
Sometimes I go into my closet and choose three things for the “to go” bag. Â I finally got rid of this really slinky red dress that I was sure I was going to wear again someday. Â No worries. I’ll see it again on a Morgan Hill Goodwill shopper.
Sometimes I go on Facebook but other insomniacs try to message me. Â I’m awake, I say, but not in the mood for a conversation. Â Some guy I dated in college likes to chat after his full day as an airplane pilot for Southwest Airlines. Â He’s lonely somewhere in a hotel. Â There are lonely insomniacs everywhere. Â The middle of the night is a lonely place.
Today I am off to Home Depot to investigate black-out shades for my bedroom. Â I’ve downloaded a white noise app for my phone and have purchased a bottle of lavender lotion for aromatherapy benefits. Â I’ll try this trifecta tonight and let you know how it goes.
If you have any ideas, feel free to amuse me.
And if this blog seems a bit rambling and random, forgive me.
I am sleepless in Morgan Hill.
Have great empathy for you, Rosemarie. I, too, am often awake in the middle of the night. Perhaps we should arrange for a phone conversation during those nocturnal hours?!!! I think a lot of women our age have trouble with sleep. Can be very frustrating. Have you tried Chamomile tea? That can sometimes help. Also, certain medications cause insomnia (http://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-04-2013/medications-that-can-cause-insomnia.html). I found that by switching the time of day I took certain meds made a big difference. When all else fails, I’ve been known to water plants, finish a favorite book, pay bills, clean a room (in my mind), and find another favorite book to read! Insomnia is awful at best, devitalizing at worst. There’s gotta’ be an answer out there. Please let me know if you find something that works. Too bad we’re still not living on Tedemory. We could start a bonfire on our driveway and talk our way through the night!
Here’s a pretty decent article, Rosemarie, on foods that keep you awake and those that can help induce sleep. http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/nutrition/sleep-inducing-foods#slide-1 I swear by pineapple, almonds and walnuts, and dark cherry juice. Who knew? Just some thoughts that might help.
Ah ha! I got to # 9 and shouted GUILTY!!
9. Glucosamine and chondroitin
I take these for my funky hips!! They suggest taking your dose in the morning. I take them three times/day. I’ll try to just take one in the AM and one with lunch! You are a good researcher, Kathy Ronan!
I am a bit almond, walnut eater! I am going to try Dark Cherry Juice next!
Thanks, neighbor! Once a neighbor, always a neighbor. :)
Last night I finally cleaned out the closet and dresser in the extra bedroom. Sacred Heart Community Center is in for a lot of nice men’s clothes and jackets! Love you, my friend!
Anthony gave me this idea to help me sleep and believe me it works! I set up a small fan in my bedroom and the white noise it provides helps me fall asleep and stay asleep. If that doesn’t work my Nana always swore by praying the rosary in bed. She said she was always asleep by the second decade. My Mom’s advice was, “sex”. (I know you can hear her saying that). Try them all, see what works for you my friend. Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite.
Alas! I’ve tried them all! More sex is probably the answer! How about sex while praying the rosary? :)
I lie awake most night’s although my reason is different than yours. A couple of years ago, as you know, I started to write and now I have so many stories that are waiting to be told that I don’t seem to have enough time in the usual hours to give them some form. They are not about me as that would be too boring, but of others. I have helped to reconnect families and exhumed a few of the forgotten dead with simple strokes of the pen. Yet the reason I am sleepless is because of where I lay my head. I sleep in a small car and have had to ward off attacks from those that are of poor spirit. On other occasions it’s law enforcement lighting up my car in the dead of the night and treating me poorly. I never know what to expect so I limit my hours to sleep which is never deep or truly restful and I pray to get safely through the night. I’m not where I am due to drugs or alcohol, a mental disorder or lazy as many assume. I work and pay the few bills I do have, but I must write as time is fleeting. I go to the gym each day for yoga and other exercise and shower and maintain my dignity as best as I can. I read from the Bible and trust in God. This is temporary. It is not Morgan Hill but still I am sleepless like you.