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No rest for the weary

I feel like I'm more of a night owl. As a kid, I used to like to stay up until I finished a good book. As an adult, I've struggled with insomnia my whole life. I'm not working right now, which is good and bad. Good, because, if I am tired, I can take a nap. Bad, because I barely take naps or go to bed early like I should. Instead, I've traded a good book for going down the rabbit hole of YouTube.

  1. I hear you, ! My mom swears I was born a night owl. And my dad is one, too. Some of us are just perkier at night! I can still stay up way too late finishing a book. I personally had to ban scrolling in my bed so I wouldn't stay up 'til the sun was rising again. But, yes, combine being a night owl with insomnia? Oh, boy. It makes it hard to be a functional adult in the working world!

    Best, Erin, Team Member.

    1. right there with ya! As a child, I stayed up almost every night. I'd read books by my nightlight laying on the floor. Then when I had to share a room with my sister, under the covers with a flashlight. When I would try to go to sleep, my mind would start racing.

      And that carries on to now. I'll be completely exhausted but unable to sleep. I finally fall asleep and wake up for the bathroom. Or a dream will wake me up. Or I'll wake in a panic thinking I'm late for work when I still have an hour or two before my alarm.

      A lot of my sleep is very light, with the thoughts still churning. It's hard.

      At this point, I'm ecstatic getting five hours of sleep. It's rough.

      I refuse to look at my phone after 1am, I bury myself in the covers to block out light and sound, I try to get my mind to picture ocean waves or snow falling, and still I struggle.

      But my best work, my creativity, my solutions to complex problems, all start to emerge late in the evening. It's too bad that I'm in accounting and the job requires a first shift role. I would be so much better working a second shift job.

      Sending much support 💜💜

      1. thanks for sharing your story. Sleep is such a gift that you don't often realize how precious it is until you struggle to get it. It's certainly a relatable topic here in this community!

        One of the things that I heard can be really helpful to improve sleep is to get some sunlight as soon as you wake up in the morning (or as soon as the sun rises). It helps to sync your body's natural circadian rhythms.

        This, of course, is just a gentle self practice, but the doctor certainly has resources that can support sleep as well. Either way, we appreciate you being part of the conversation and helping to share your story.
        Best
        Alene, Moderator

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