Do you sleep well? Always a great sleeper until the mighty lifestyle changes of the past year came along, my nightly 7-8 hours were never disturbed and I'm told I rarely even moved, let alone turned over, all night long. Things have changed though and I never seem to sleep through the night any longer. It's not so much the having to make a quick bathroom trip - that comes with age, taking medication, and the recommended drinking of a full glass of water before bed - it's the trying to get back to sleep again. On a recent night I spent almost two hours going through my life while hoping to fall back asleep. The history, the decisions made - both good and bad - the things I need to get done soon, the things I didn't do, but should have during this past useless year when time was abundant but spirit and energy was lacking. Perhaps I was beating myself harder than I should have. After all, I'm no longer young and moving about pain free, or full of ebullient vitality and energy as in my younger days.
It feels part of the plan now. It goes with growing in the gray hair, wearing only comfortable shoes, pulling on jogger pants with elastic waistbands (even though jogging has become walking!), taking blood pressure pills, having two aspirin in a small plastic baggie close to the bed with instructions attached as to what with them if you're experiencing a heart attack, re-doing the Will, not planting young trees or slow growing shrubs, checking retirement communities and, God forbid, assisted living facilities, and whether or not to have the torn rotator cuff surgery. The list just goes on.
But, life also goes on as the list grows longer. There are good things ahead in old age too so perhaps I should write two lists. Since getting my two COVID vaccinations I'm beginning to feel better about life and the future. I'm ready to make plans again. I want to travel and have reservations made for going home to England this spring which I pray will be possible. I want to cruise again, do more short road trips in the USA - even though I've seen it all before I want to go again. I want to plant azaleas and hydrangeas along the back fence - they grow quickly if given TLC with sun and shade thrown in. I bought more daylily bulbs to plant for summer color, and soon I'll gather seed packets and fill pots with several types of basil and other summer herbs. Hopefully my good neighbor will supply the tomatoes again this year and I will make pesto!
All these things are keeping me awake at night - some good some bad. How about you - do you have sleep problems? Counting sheep does not work - but perhaps you have other tips to help one fall back into dreamland. . . . . . .and of course that's a whole other world to contend with. Yes, when sleep comes I dream a lot more than before!
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I sleep pretty well. I do wake up a couple of times, but roll over and go back to sleep. I have had both shots. Kent had his first one this Saturday. I am feeling better about things as well. I just wish I could get my kitchen and bathrooms finished!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got your shots - it really makes one feel a lot safer when away from the house!
DeleteHope the remodeling projects are soon completes dear.
Love the photo Mary - it has a magical luminescent, ethereal, quality to it.
ReplyDeleteI used to sleep like a log, but no more. I tend to retire far later than previously in the hopes that I will fall asleep quickly and not wake up until morning. Everything seems to be such an effort - what shall I make to eat today? I must get a load of washing done etc everyday chores that I never even thought about before, but simply did.
I did make some pesto today and we enjoyed some for supper - it was goodX
I am a late to bed person and then always read which gets me to sleep quickly - but I still wake up around 3 or 4 and can't go back to dreamland many nights for a long while!
DeleteOh yes, "what the devil can I conjure up in the kitchen today" happens often. I feel fortunate I'm quite a creative cook and can usually rustle up something nutritious. Last night I made roasted red bell peppers stuffed with "ancient grains" to which I added finely chopped mixed mushrooms - drizzled with Balsamic vinegar and fresh chopped parsley - very nice!
My sister and I had that conversation this morning, I am 79 going on 80 in the Fall, she is 78 going on 79 this month. Her doctor tells her that sleep doesn't come easy to a "thinker" which she is ~ all the time. She has just come through COVID doing well other than residual breathing issues which are improving daily. She has never been a smoker and is in good physical condition which helped. I told her when I awaken and cannot get back to sleep, I turn on my bedroom TV (realizing that having it there is a NO NO) turn down the volume and set the timer for thirty minutes ~~ Frasier. I never know when it turns itself off. LOL. Here's hoping we can satisfy our travel longings soon.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to know your sis has made a good recovery Helen.
DeleteI don't have a TV or computer in the bedroom - but sometimes am tempted to go grab the laptop and look something up in hopes I will get sleepy - however I know that would not be a good habit to start either!
Dear Mary,
ReplyDeleteI don't expect to sleep through the night. So it's no big deal. I used to sleep better. Often I spend too much time thinking about which has to be done or getting taxes prepared(this time of year). And then I might as well get up read a little. Now that I am alone and live in a somewhat isolated spot I worry about noises. But then I know that my dog, who has a big voice, and that she would wake me if something was amiss. When all is quiet I think about how comfortable and cozy my bed is. Then I listen to the wind, and soon I'm asleep again.
Dear Gina I know you might have some nights when an unusual noise could be disturbing - it's so quiet (but of course unbelievably beautiful at your home), that things probably are heard immediately by Sadie. So glad her "big voice" can scare off anything!
DeleteSleep usually comes easily...I always fall asleep praying. That used to make me feel guilty, but what better way to slip off to sleep. Now if I must get up in the night, I don't always fall back to sleep as easily. Musings about covid and growing older, which is better than the alternative, can weigh heavy. What fun you're going to have in the garden. Sunshine and birdsong will lift the spirits.
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head Vee dear - COVID and growing older - do weigh heavy, especially in the middle of the night when one only wants to sleep and put all that out of our thoughts!
DeleteWhat a beautiful bedside, and the finial on your lamp is gorgeous! If I haven't been exercising enough, getting back to sleep after the obligatory loo-trips is a real chore; I think I need to be physically tired every day to sleep well.
ReplyDeleteFriends who went on safari in Africa shared a tip their fellow jet-lagged campers adopted with enormous success. For each letter of the alphabet you have to name and visualise 5 animals, and take as long as you need to mull over your choices as it's hard! It's a tough night if you don't fall asleep before your alphabet is done, but if you don't, just start from A again. I've modified it to animal/vegetable/mineral so include fruits and vegetables, flowers and gemstones and don't leave a letter until I've exhausted all possibilities. Neither do I allow grim images like sharks and spiders and weeds :) xx
Thanks - I do enjoy a good finial on a table lamp!
DeleteMs. P - your friends were given a great idea instead of counting the proverbial sheep, baaaa! However, on my several African safari trips with twice daily game drives, I don't recall ever NOT falling asleep fast, and staying in dreamland until the first light when the grunting hippos, roaring lions etc. had me jumping out of bed ready to get going again by 6 am. Having seen so many fabulous African animals I have plenty to count - and last night I tried it but only got to B - must have worked! Thanks so much for the idea.
Mary -
Very happy to have handed the sleep trick on!
DeleteAgain, many thanks.
DeleteNow I think I need to share my handsome African animals here again - on days when I have nothing much to talk about!
Normally, I sleep well, but have the occasional night where I find it difficult getting my brain to stop whirling around with more or less useless stuff. A lot has to do with work; after a stressful day, I find it hard to let go. But mostly, reading for a bit before turning the light off helps. Also, when I find I can not get to sleep easily, I pick a familiar route (say, the path from "my" cottage in Ripon to Fountains Abbey) and walk it step by step in my mind.
ReplyDeleteYou have plenty of wonderful things in your life - your house and garden alone would be a dream come true for many, and the fact that you and Bob still have each other and are in relatively good health is great! :-)
All the best for your travel plans this year.
Oh you are so right Meike - we have so much to be thankful for. Just getting a touch of 'cabin fever' lately. Family medical issues in England have me upset as I cannot be of help there and not sure when I'll be able to see them.
DeleteMeanwhile I'm counting Africa's wild animals - see above for Pipistrello's ideas for getting back to sleep! Must say it worked last night and I only got as far as B!!!!
Hello Mary, I enjoyed reading your lists, including the 'getting old' one: lots of familiar things there. During the past year I too have had difficult getting back to sleep, sometimes for two hours or more, and G is the same. We have Covid dreams too. I sometimes get myself back to sleep by a little trick I once learnt, going through the colours of the rainbow slowly in my mind - but I do it by visualising flowers/plants in our garden, matching to the rainbow colours. I then count backwards from 20. Then do it all again! What a beautiful, clever and rather French looking photo - I love it. xxx
ReplyDeleteYour colorful counting of rainbows and flowers sound like yet another good pathway to sleep, thanks Trish x
DeleteDearest Mary,
ReplyDeleteSome great reflection in the mirror and that's exactly what you were doing at night...
Hugs,
Mariette
Mirrors, not favorite friends at this age but I love to have them in the house to reflect beautiful items, the garden through the windows etc.
DeleteOur family are known to be good sleepers .... my Dad could fall asleep while I was talking to him !!! Our daughter can get on a plane in the UK, fall asleep on take off and wake up in Australia ! My husband says I fall asleep before my head has touched the pillow .... he can never believe how quickly I can nod off !!! Mind you, now I’m older I do sometimes wake up more than I used to but can usually drop off again quite quickly. Funny you should say that about trees and slow growing shrubs .... I said the exact same thing to the man who is laying a new path for us today ! XXXX
ReplyDeleteYou all really sound like great sleepers - my mum was too and I was until the past year!
DeleteWhat a coincidence - we just had a guy here to talk about a new pathway needed in the back garden!
Mary, I think that in addition to aging this past year has done a number on all of us. It is as is life outside of our homes stopped, at least for us being a part of it and that has been not only stressful but has taken a toll emotionally. As we have aged and grown inside our houses our families have done the same, they may have also been sick, passed away or whatever and sadly we were not allowed to be a part of it. I have had a terrible 2 weeks as you know and now that my nephew is in the hospital with a dramatic brain injury and I nor anyone in my family cannot see him am at the end of my rope as they say. Thank you for your kind words my friend and your comment. I am praying for you and cheering you on to be able to take your trip this Spring HOME to see your family. xo
ReplyDeleteElizabeth dear, as I said earlier, I'm keeping your nephew close in thought and prayer. It's terrible that he cannot have visitors - how old is he?
DeleteThank you for your kind words - I really do need to get to the UK soon - It will be this year I'm sure but perhaps not for a while.
Those 3 or 4 am wake ups are no fun at all. I usually sleep well, but sometimes have several nights in a row where I can't get back to sleep. It's always the worst things that come to mind at that dark hour. Or else I make great plans for cooking or gardening or decorating, but once the morning comes, I'm exhausted and not interested in doing those things! I have found that going over vacations, day by day, sometimes helps, or reciting Bible verses in my head. I never get very far.
ReplyDeleteOh, what to cook is a constant dilemma. I've come to the realization that we don't eat as much as we used to and I need to cut back on the amount I cook. I don't want a fridge full of leftovers all the time. Tim will work for another 2 years, and he enjoys leftovers for lunch, but I prefer a bit of cheese and some salad or vegetables. I made a vegetable soup today and added some pesto that I made last summer and froze. Delicious!
In reply to your comment on my blog (I don't know why I can't answer comments there - must be something in my settings), we bought a small (21 foot) fibreglass trailer/caravan last February, just before the pandemic. We've used it a few times and it's been so lovely to get away during the pandemic. We still have the boat, but those trips are much more effort.
I hope you will soon be able to visit your family in the UK. It's so hard to be far away.
I actually do sleep well most of the time. A relaxing bedtime routine helps. No screen time (phone or laptop or TV) an hour before bed. I don't take a bath at night, but my mom does...and she said this helps her to wind down. I relax with gentle reading material before bed...I read until I start falling asleep. Sometimes I listen to a bedtime meditation or sleep music (all through the Insight Timer app, which is free) before bed, too. My hubby falls asleep ASAP with the sleep music through this app.
ReplyDeleteMy pelvic floor physical therapist told me to not drink any water after 6 PM - unless of course, you have to take some medication or vitamins. This greatly helps in not having to get up in the middle of the night to pee!
I go in cycles, sometimes I sleep well and sometimes not. I made the mistake Sunday of drinking too much tea in the afternoon and I only got 4 hours of sleep that night. Ugh! I was so tired yesterday, but slept well last night. Sometimes I do get up and read for awhile, that usually helps.
ReplyDelete