sleep or not, night owls.

I find that I don’t sleep if I have coffee or tea after 2pm in the afternoon - though I often forget not to drink any caffeine after 2pm. I was awake until about 3.30am the other night and I realised I’d had tea about 4pm. I read my kindle while DH slept.

I used to be a regular on the night owls thread and then I stopped taking my ipad to bed. It actually stimulated me which, of course, was not the plan. Still wake up regularly but listen to Ella Fitzgerald or Nat King Cole and drop off again more readily.

handbaghoarder

Another poor sleeper here. Factor in restless leg syndrome and there’s no chance.

🙌 Indeed, extra misery! My husband has it and increasingly over the years (he’s 77) it’s eroded his sleep, and invaded his waking hours.

The b*£%@y cat kept me awake, in and out of the bedroom and onto/off the bed like a jack-in-a-box, then shoving his whiskery face into mine, purring his nuts off. I could have closed the door and shut him out but I didn't. DH slept through it all. 😴 So I'm bug-eyed today!

Have to admit I have resorted to sleeping tablets which I take when I've had several nights awake, to keep me sane and functional. It's a low dose, and as agreed with my doctor, I only take them when I get desperate, but at least I can have an occasional night when I sleep deeply and wake up refreshed. I do have to be disciplined to endure several sleepless nights before I reach for them, but I am only prescribed enough for the occasional use so if I used them every night I would quickly run out. It works for me.

I’m reading this at 11.44 am having just woke up I didn’t get to sleep until around 4am after going to bed at 1am I’m tired when I get into bed but minute my head hits pillow my brain click into gear even if I’ve got no worries or concerns. I’ve tried every trick in the book. Even doing 15k steps nothing stops the brain from keeping me awake even when the body is exhausted. I hate it, I’d love to go to bed and just sleep, but I hate going to bed now as I know it’ll be hours before I drift off.

Go to bed about 10pm, read for an hour then sleep! Wake about 3-4am for the loo then no more sleep till about 6am just before the alarm! If I do not set the alarm I can sleep very late & waste the morning! This has gradually got worse since a spell in hospital when everyone snatched sleep when they could. If I have an appointment next day I get even less sleep! Is it just an age thing?

I really sympathise with you, yes me too. I must admit I do wonder if it’s a feature of getting older as friends my age all seem to report the same problem sleeping. Sometimes it’s worse than other times. I’ve managed to work out when it’s particularly bad, it’s probably different for everyone. But my “bad night” triggers seem to be: worrying about something, having to get up early for an appointment, eating sugar/chocolate late, drinking alcohol late, screen use (phone/ipad) before bed and having grandchildren staying over (high alert!) I have also worked out that listening to audio books or podcasts seem to be the most reliable way I can get back to sleep.

I'm a night owl 3am to 10am, whatever suits you. It only matters if you've got appointments etc.

Another poor sleeper here. Factor in restless leg syndrome and there’s no chance.

We had a really busy, energetic day yesterday andI slept all night until 5:20. …..Perhaps that’s the trick. Wear yourself out

I've just looked at the clock and it's 2.40am and still I don't feel sleepy. I've tried sitting up tonight rather than going to bed, but that's probably not the best idea because I still have to get ready for bed and that will wake me up again! I've just had a few nights when I was sleeping well but now am back to the same old same old and I honestly have no idea why. Oh well, I'm well and truly up-to-date with all things Gransnet, so there's a plus side 😉. So off I go to see if going to bed this late will give me a solid few hours.m 🤞

My husband and I have bedrooms at opposite ends of the house, but occasionally meet in the kitchen at silly o’clock when neither of us can sleep. My nights are often disturbed, especially at times (like now) when I’m not very well - and my husband lies awake with his mind churning about work, life, children, anything really. The difference is that I will try to sleep late and catch up, but he just can’t - on the other hand he can have a 10 minute ‘power nap’ and feel as refreshed as if he’d slept for a few hours.

I have to go to the loo at least twice during the night. It’s really tiring.

I have no problem falling asleep but staying asleep is another matter. I wake frequently, sometimes just for a quick visit to the loo, other times I feel wide awake.

Most nights I have an hour or so awake.

Last night I woke at 3am after four hours sleep. Tried to sleep again but ended up reading in bed. This happens sometimes and I've no idea why.

I'm sorry you are not getting out Whethertomorrow is that through choice or because you are ill / disabled ? It sounds like you are a little depressed especially with that sleep pattern.

I’ve always been a to bed at 9/10 and get up at 6/7 particularly when children were little. My husband was a shift worker but given the chance he stayed up till 1/2 and slept in until midday. In the 5 years since he died I’ve gone to bed later and later until this last week when I’m going to bed at 6 am and getting up at 1pm! I’m quite happy doing it but it’s getting ridiculous now. I don’t see the sun but then I haven’t been out the house since Christmas 2022. I don’t think there’s much hope for me.

One of his solutions was to have a drink with a teaspoon of a prebiotic just before bedtime. Mind you, he often seems to rehash the same problem with a different solution in his programmes so he made another programme after the prebiotic one.

Dr Michael Moseley has reseached sleep issues. (He's had sleep problems himself.) There are various of his radio podcasts available via the BBC Sounds app. (Free of charge.) Also he did a Horizon BBC2 TV programme on the subject (called: "How to Sleep Well), which you might find available online. Worth a listen/look?

I've suffered sleepless nights for many years , it's usually when I'm stressed or have something on my mind. These days it's more down to arthritis pain. I have audible books on my tablet and drink camomile tea at bedtime. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't 🤷

sodapop

I hesitate to put this down but after many months of not sleeping much at all I have suddenly started sleeping through the night. Apart from bathroom breaks of course, no rhyme or reason to it. Fingers crossed it continues.

That's fab! I hope it continues for you. I had the same last week. Had a couple of really good night's sleep, but seems to have slunk back into insomnia. I do wind myself up about stuff, though. Last night it was because I was waiting for a friend to reply to a message about coming to dinner/what to make for dinner this evening. Must read instead of doom scrolling!! 😄

Knitandnatter

I often have nights when sleep evades me too. Even after a busy day, when I ought to be tired my brain is racing away and I can't drop off. Not wanting to disturb my OH, if I haven't drifted off within the hour I migrate to the lounge and either read or knit.
Lately, I have noticed that this seems to happen in the days preceding an appointment or a meeting, I guess that could be playing on my mind, I have no idea why though.
Then, when I have had a particularly restless night and I manage to drop off my inconsiderate neighbour, who seems incapable of opening or closing cupboards and drawers quietly, begins to get ready for work........

If I have to be up early the next day I usually can’t sleep the night before. Wasn’t so bad when I was younger and could function without sleep. Even my get back to sleep music doesn’t help.

I hesitate to put this down but after many months of not sleeping much at all I have suddenly started sleeping through the night. Apart from bathroom breaks of course, no rhyme or reason to it. Fingers crossed it continues.