I’ve complained on multiple occasions about Jason’s sleeping habits. He flips, he flops, he snores badly, he takes up 80% of the bed, he hits me in the face (unknowingly, of course). Sleeping next to him can be quite the unpleasant experience sometimes. So you’d think I’d be able to sleep like a rock when he’s not there to hit or push or snore in my ear, right?
Ummm. No.
Jas left for Washington D.C. on Thursday night, and I haven’t had a solid night of sleep since. Thursday night I fell asleep around midnight, but woke up at 1, 2:10, 3, 4:45, 7:30, and finally got out of bed at 8. Friday night was much worse. I couldn’t fall asleep at all. I tried reading, a hot shower (can’t take a bath until the stitches are all healed solid), watching TV, counting ducks (as opposed to sheep), and listening to my stress relief play list on my ipod. I don’t know why I couldn’t sleep. I have no real stress. I’ve been off work for 3 weeks, I knew Jas was ok getting to DC, because he texted me to let me know he landed safe (I have a fear of flying that has increased into a fear of HIM flying too). I hadn’t had any soda, or chocolate, or anything else containing caffeine. It wasn’t like the nights where I can’t get my brain to shut off. Things were pretty quiet up there for a change (yes, yes wide open door for sarcasm right there. I know.). The last time I looked at the clock, it was just past 5am on SATURDAY morning. That’s just insane to me. Thankfully, I slept in until noon (One of the only pros of not having kids right now, and dammit I’m taking advantage.) so I wasn’t in need of a nap later in the day.
But now it’s 2:30am on Sunday morning, and I’m wide awake again. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, or why my schedule is so whacked out. I hate HATE the thought of taking something to help me sleep, but I can’t keep doing this. I have to start work again on Monday, and I can’t be staying up all night, and then sleeping through the morning. Part of me wants to take one of the prescription pain pills, because it makes me sleepy. But I don’t want to get in the habit of needing drugs to help me sleep. I’m trying to rationalize it by saying that the pill will help me get my body back on track if I just take it one night. However, I know that I’m just rationalizing it, and it pisses me off. So I ask you, dear internet, for your words of wisdom. What have you tried that helps you sleep when it feels like sleep will never come? What worked? What didn’t? Guide me, oh wise ones, because I really think I’m going to lose my mind if this happens for the entire 2 weeks that Jas is gone.
Have you ever tried the “Picture This…” trick? I do it sometimes when my mind is wound up. Lying in bed, you tell yourself “Picture this: …” and then fill in the blank by imagining yourself in some ideal or outlandish scene. So, like, “Picture This: I’m on the beach, white sand and crystal clear water. The sun is so warm I can feel my skin tanning, and…”
If I really let myself imagine it and go with the scene, eventually I seem to drift off. It’s worth a shot, right?
Also, I wouldn’t be so averse to taking something. I think your reasoning isn’t rationalization, it’s just realistic. But with a healthy fear like that, you should be able to take just one and get yourself back on track, as you said, without anything getting out of control. You deserve a good night’s sleep!
Sweet dreams!
You could try taking Melatonin. It is not a drug that puts you to sleep, but helps get your clock back on track. It is often used for people who fly across the country to get rid of jet lag. IT is an herbal supplement and non addictive. I would reccommend it. While it hasn’t worked for me (but I am way more screwed up in the sleep area than you are) it might work for you.
Hi from Portugal. I’ve been reading your blog since maybe Sept 2007.
My point of view on this is kinda different. Maybe it’s just me but I’m so used to sleep with my boyfriend that if he’s not home for even a day, I can’t sleep… Usually what I do is watch tv and sometime around the second night I fall asleep… Not a big help for you right now, but just wanted to let you know you’re not the only one not falling asleep when home alone.
Keep up the good recovery.
**Sofia**
Ummmm…I’d give you some advice, but it turns out that I am the world’s best sleeper. I can sleep with someone, without someone, on the airport ground, on a chair, on a marble bench outside.
When it takes me longer than thirty seconds to fall asleep, my strategy has always been to focus on relaxing my jaw. I carry all my stress in my jaw, so if I can relax my jaw and my throat, I can usually fall asleep. But it rarely gets to that.
(My sister always said that a hot bath would make her sleepy. I don’t know. Maybe that would work?)
I’m sorry I’m not much help here.