In BeTWEEN: Help! I have insomnia!
I've been awake since 2:45 a.m., tossing and turning. Finally, I gave in and got up. I can't sleep and have had several nights like this for the past week or so. I've counted so many sheep I need a new calculator. Even the dog won't get up with me anymore. Several friends are experiencing the same thing: Maybe I'm just a sympathetic insomniac. Or maybe it's the change in seasons. Maybe it's my age -- I think I'm going to deny this one, as I have a birthday next week and it's a big one. Maybe I've got too much on my mind. Maybe I need to get more exercise. Maybe I need to chill (OK, I know this one is a definite.) Maybe I just need a cup of tea and a crossword puzzle.
I hate when I can't sleep because I don't get enough of it as it is. I look up at the ceiling, which I assume is there but can't see because it's way too dark, and listen to the cicadas, or at least I think that's what I'm hearing, and the volume keeps rising, rising, rising until I tell myself I need ear plugs covered with ear muffs topped with a pillow and comforter. But that would be really annoying, and then it would be impossible to get comfortable. Meanwhile, I'm thinking about all that I need to do, but can't do until the rest of the world is up. Then I fret about whether I'll fall back to sleep just before the alarm goes off and that I won't hear it when it does. And that I'm going to be so exhausted for work tomorrow (really, today) that I'll be good to no one. (Would anyone notice if I napped under my desk around, say, 3 p.m.???)
If anyone has a remedy, please share. Oh, the tea kettle is whistling. Wish me luck! I know I'll need it.
- Hi Barb,
I can relate! I have been up at 4 am every day since we have returned home. Sometimes you just have to get up and go with it. We all have A LOT on our minds these days. If you are ever up early, call my cell, and if I'm awake, I'd be happy to chat. Lots of times I wake up early like this and think, "Who can I talk to that would be awake?"
One homeopathic remedy you might want to try (talk to Mike at SaveMart): Arnica extract in some water before bed. I hear that this will put you out and keep you out (in the proper way, of course). I haven't tried it myself, but it would be worth a shot. Hang in there! - Becky Bittle - Barb, Go for the Tylenol PM! Every now and then I do and I only need one. I never have a problem falling asleep, the problem is waking up at 3 AM. You will thank me after a good night sleep tonight. Lisa
- Finally, sleep! I slept really well last night. But this is the weird part about insomnia. I fell asleep reading, which meant I left the downstairs lights on all night and DIDN'T SET THE ALARM! That is really playing with fire. Thank goodness for my dog, who woke me up at 5:30. My guess is, Becky and Lisa,, that I'm going to need to put your advice into operation tonight. Past experience with insomnia is that last night won't be repeated tonight. But I'll hope for the best. Hope you both had restful nights.Barb
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In BeTWEEN -- Barbara Hough Roda is managing editor of the Sunday News. As the single mom of a 12-year-old daughter, she writes about work, parenting and trying to keep a balance between the two.
