Speak Up
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Question of the day: Why aren't you getting the sleep you need?
As a fairly new mom, I'm well acquainted with the concept of sleep deprivation. So, reading some of the stories around Shine over the last few weeks about
how little sleep everyone is getting these days makes me think I'm not doing so bad after all.
So, Elastic Waist's blogger Weetabix's
5 tips on getting a good night sleep couldn't come at a better time. One I know my husband could put to use tonight: "Eat your main meals earlier in the day so that you're going to bed on a
mostly empty stomach."
We all have our reasons we're not getting the zzz's we deserve -- whether it's a hungry newborn or stress from the job or just staying out too late partying with friends.
You know mine; now tell me yours. What's keeping you away from getting those much-needed eight hours? And while you're at it, tell me how you do finally end up getting the sleep you need. With me, my husband and I trade off on the early morning baby duties, so one of us can occasionally sleep in, at least on the weekends.
Spill your sleep secrets in the comments below or
blow it out into a post of your very own.
Related: stress, sleep deprivation, sleep, question of the day, new mommy, insomnia
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Posted by Hidden From View Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:52am PDT
I don't sleep because I feel a sense of obligation to my family. I get two hours before I have to get up with my kids. I might get another hour before I have to see to the kids getting home from school. Then maybe thirty minutes before I go to work. I'm tired but it gets everyone where they need to be. Every once in a while I might get five hours or so, if the other adults in my group are willing. I figure if I can get my life a little more organized... that's something I have a little problem with. But, sleep is sooo overrated!
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Posted by lorijasmine06 Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:41am PDT
I have trouble sleeping because of stress . I lost my job due to it closeing in august.I was a full timer there for 10 years and i loved that job.I was in retail.Im stressing ecause i want another job like it but it is hard to find. So,I;m back at the drawing board searching again for a retail job that i will like .I know beggers cant be choosers. I just hope to find me something soon
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Posted by Amor Perdido Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:58am PDT
I just had my child two months ago and of course the very thought of sleep has left me since then. I really started having trouble sleeping when I was 8 months pregnant. My stomach was huge and the baby seemed to like jumping and moving when it was time for mommy to lay down. Then when he was born, I was so afraid that if I slept I wouldn't hear him crying so for the 1st week he was home I literally kept myself awake day and night purposely. Plus I'm nursing so those 3am feedings play a part. So far I'm getting about 5 or 6 hrs of sleep at night. I try to nap during the day but house chores and errands take up too much of my time.
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Posted by DeAnna Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:40am PDT
i work 2nd shift and still try to do everything during the day that would get done if I didn't work. So.... it just doesn't seem to get done and I wind up staying up later at night when I get home. At least it's quiet then.
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Posted by bonniep_texas Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:46am PDT
I am a single mom of four. This is not why I don't sleep well, hoewever. I am a firm believer in the 5 Love Languages and I am physical touch. THis is not sex, although if it can happen.... I do not sleep well because for the last four months, and for the first time in years, I have had some cuddl company. I was not in a dating type relationship , I just found a friend who enjoys snuggling as much as I do. My tank was full. Unfortunately the boundaries of our friendship have changed and I am not sleeping well because I am not getting that physical affection I crave. The lesson for me: Don't allow myself to create a snuggle relationship with someone unless I see a future... ah well, I have plenty of time to think now!
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Posted by gigi Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:57am PDT
its not my job that keeps me up at night but alot of stress at home. i'm living with 5 young adults and they keep me up at night due to drama among them and their issues that aren't being resolved. if they are resolved theres 2 more things on going. 2 people work in this household 3 are not so the bills get behind and just alot of money problems. i may get some sleep but they are always coming to see me for all the answers and i'm running out of them. so hopefully things will calm down.
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Posted by Nina Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:12am PDT
I am a single mother of two young children. One child is five months old and is constantly sick usually with breathing problems and the other child is three going on four and is very clingy. If my five month old is not waking me up to eat —I am a breastfeeding mother— or to have a twenty minute breathing treatment, my other child is crawling in my bed trying to sleep right under me or kicking me. I don't have a bed so I sleep on a folding futon that is about five feet long (I am five foot five inches) and is about as thick as a peice of cardboard. on average I manage to get about two to three hours every night.
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Posted by catchubottiesmamma Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:23am PDT
So much gets in the way of my getting decent sleep. I have valley fever and lupus, both cause joint pain and that keeps me awake. My husband gets up early for work and I either wake up to feed him or he just is so noisy I wake up. On the weekends when I should have one morning of sleeping in past six am I worry about my husband carring for our two yeard old.......ok, he SLEEPS while my son is doing who knows what unsupervised. I can't sleep knowing something bad will happen to my son. Knowing my husband is less then attentive to our son gives me nightmares. I mean I have nightmares of what could happen when his Daddy is too busy sleeping instead of watching our son.
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Posted by john c Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:26pm PDT
Personally, I get an average of 5 hours of sleep at night. I have a very physical job that involves basically, moving banquet furniture around all day. I try to be in bed by 9pm, but if something good is on tv, i'll stay up to watch. I sleep very well and almost always wake up feeling refreshed. I have had this work/sleep pattern for years and have never felt the need to get more sleep. On the rare occasion that I sleep for 8 hours or more, I always feel groggy all day. I'm 46 years old and believe that the 5 to 6 hours of sleep I get are all I need. Any more than that is just a waste of time to me. Also, I drink coffee every day but won't drink any after 6pm unless I have the next day off. I also read that taking a good 1 to 2 hour nap can sometimes be just as good as 8 hours of sleep. For me, taking a nap for 2 hours also leaves me feeling groggy the rest of the day. I'll stick with 5 hours thank you.
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Posted by Barbara L Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:39pm PDT
Because,im not happy i have'nt acheived the goals i need to acheive to better our lives.Im married I have been married a year to my husband and things are so crazy now. i can't sleep im drug free,go to school,go to work,spend a little time with him.we have no kids together we're just stuck.he can't even must sleep.
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