Sleepless for the Next Few Weeks

I have not blogged in forever. Why? Graduate school is kicking my behind or should I say my procrastination has finally caught up with me. Well, I'm going through the day on 2 hours of sleep. Yes, the Queen of Sleep is committing an act of unspeakable evil. I cannot wait to fall back into my eight hours of slumber, but that will have to wait unfortunately. I am planning to snag about an hour and a half nap after work but I also have an exam on Saturday that I need to begin, yes, begin to study for. Sleep may be out of my grasp for a while. I hope others are sleeping well. Going without sleep is not good. I wouldn't wish this punishment (self-punishment in my case) on anyone. 

Sleep Myth #1 Debunked

Today I wanted to test my theory. My theory was that as long as I kept my sleep preparations consistent I could still fall asleep with ease after doing a strenuous activity. After work the plan was to take the dog running and then take a nap before starting on my homework. I was told by a friend (and I have also read this before) that if you exercise before going to sleep it can be counterproductive and make it harder to fall asleep. I disagreed. Well, I took the dog running, came back inside and did my normal sleep preparation (refer to "Before I Lay Me Down to Sleep" entry). I hopped in the bed and was out like a light. Sleep myth #1 debunked...or maybe it just doesn't apply to me.

Heresy

I was reading sleep tips to see if there’s anything I haven’t tried. I must say I read something that goes against everything I believe in. The tip was that you should NEVER take more than one nap a day and that your nap should be LESS than half an hour. What kind of tomfoolery is this? Whoever penned this I say, “Off with his (or her) head!”

Help! I’ve Fallen Asleep and Can’t Wake Up

I have discussed this topic with my friends on several occasions. There is such a thing as too much sleep. So much that you get sucked in or stuck in the bed, couch, or other location you’ve chosen to fall asleep. You awake with the goal of getting up, only to fall back to sleep within seconds. I’ve noticed this to be case when I have overslept due to going to bed well past the 2 a.m. hour. By this point, you’ve upset your Circadian Sleep. Your sleep/wake cycle is disrupted, REM sleep is delayed or completely unobtainable. The result is a drugged feeling – weakness, extremely heavy eyelids, and the inability to stay awake long enough to exit the bed.

What is my advice? Go to bed at a consistent time daily and sleep no less than six hours but no more than nine. Trust me. Anything past nine hours and you’ll be locked in a sleep cycle that is hard to break free from.

Tonight I will practice what I preach and go to sleep at a decent hour.

Irreplaceable

*sigh* So I'm thinking I'll need a new throw before the end of this harsh Kansas City winter. For three weeks my throw has been abused and tainted by my sister's pit bull puppy. At the end of a long work day and on the weekends I get my laptop and park on the couch. My favorite companion? My olive green down throw. Well, like I said for the past 20 days, puppy jowls dripping with water and sometimes with remnants of puppy food have been deposited on my poor throw. Now, I've washed it already and I'm afraid with too much more abuse it may be time for me to lay it to rest (the throw not the puppy).

Now you may be thinking, "It's just a throw. You can grab another blanket, can't you?" No, I cannot. This is currently my favorite blanket. My nap blanket to be exact. I have had some wonderful times waking up under it while the fireplace is blazing and my laptop on my lap. How can one part with such an important accessory? Better yet, how can one find an acceptable replacement? Trust me I've already surfed websites of five retailers with no avail. *tear*

W Hotel Bed...

If you've ever wanted to sleep in a W Hotel Bed, now you can in the comfort of your own home. The W Hotel has its own online shop selling beds from twin to California King. You can choose from a pillow top or plush top mattress. Bed frames are also available for purchase.

There's nothing like sleeping in a bed that no one else has snoozed in :-)  If only I had some life changing event coming up that I could use the gift registry...

Before I Lay Me Down to Sleep

I believe in properly preparing for sleep whether it's for a little 30 minute nap or a night of restful slumber. I go all out -- my face is washed, hair is combed and put in a funky pony tail, a hair scarf is wrapped around my hair, I put on my pajamas, and climb into bed (between the sheets, not on top). Last, but not least, I set my alarm unless I have no obligations to attend to.

Why would someone go through so much for just a nap? First of all, one must not hold the attitude that a nap is "just" a nap. A nap can be a very powerful tool in renewing your energy and cognitive abilities. Before I created my sleep preparation ritual, I'd have time for a nap and be unsuccessful. I'd be sleepy but too uncomfortable to fall asleep. On many occaisions, by the time sleep hit me it would be time for me get up and continue with my day.

I believe the result of properly preparing for a nap as you would for the night puts your body in sleep mode. You are going through motions that are familiar and indicative of the body slowing down and preparing for sleep. Once your head hits the pillow and you wrap yourself in the covers, your mind is free to relax and take a load off...at least for a moment.