Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Written at 4:45 A.M.

These busy summer days, I'm always tired at night.  Sometimes I'm not even sure I will make it into bed before falling sound asleep.  If I let myself stretch out in a horizontal position during the day (just to "rest" for a couple of minutes), I fall asleep -- klunk, just like that -- usually waking 10-20 minutes later feeling totally disorientated.

But getting an hour or so of (probably) needed sleep in these mornings seems an impossibility.  Even with the blinds closed on the one window in our bedroom, the slightest beginning of daylight signals my body that sleep time is over.

Am I simply being in tune with the seasons?  Sleeping when it's dark, being active when it's light?  Sounds good in theory and when living with the cycles of nature.  I just hope I can survive until winter arrives, and I can go into a sleepy, snuggly, plenty-of-dark-hours of rest, relaxation and restorative sleep mode.

As active as I may appear, I've always said there is a very lazy person inside me longing to get out.  And when she does, I know she'll make a comfy nest of cozy quilts and act like a big, ol' hibernating bear.

In the meantime, I'm gonna go get started on my ridiculously large list for the day.  But it's all good.  There's nothing I'd rather be doing, nowhere I'd rather be.

Now, can I have a second latte, please?

21 comments:

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

From everything you describe on your blog, you are the most un-lazy lazy person! That is too bad that you can't sleep past the first bit of light in the morning. Maybe those little naps are just what you need? -Jenn

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

I'm with you - light brings my whole body awake and I'm ready to go - though I don't really look forward to the winter long sleeps - I have things I want to do.

I have to now catch up on reading blogs - I' so far behind after a week of vacation.

Sue said...

I just LOVE the early mornings--the earlier the better. But I'm hating these nights that never get dark until 10. Bah! Makes it impossible to fall asleep. Like you, I'm looking forward to those wonderful SHORT days and catching up on some much needed sleep!

Dawn said...

I wake with the light and hate the light long evenings I am tired by 10pm but its too light to get to sleep

Mama Pea said...

Jenn - Thanks for the encouragement in regards to my napping! What I have to settle in my mind is that there definitely are different times of the year . . . and right now I should get enjoyment out of thinking and planning for the slower paced winter months when we have about three hours of daylight (!) and snoozing in the morning until 7:30 or 8 is the right thing to do! :o)

Mama Pea said...

JoAnn - Chuckle, chuckle! I know! Truth be told, I love the winter when I can do all the lovely things INSIDE I have to put off all spring/summer/fall. What do they say? Plenty of time for sleeping when we're dead??!

Mama Pea said...

Sue - I know you do love the wee early morning hours. Of course you're right . . . how can we wind down and get to sleep at a decent hour (even though bone tired) when it's still light at nearly 10? That, too, is a problem. (But not a big one compared to all the awful stuff that goes on these days, I fully realize.)

Mama Pea said...

Dawn - Right with you, ma'am! That's why I think we need to learn to live with the seasons and not fight them so much. (Easier said than done, eh?)

Vera said...

I don't seem to have got into 'busy' mode this year as the days have got longer. In previous years I would also have been up at dawn to enjoy those lovely early hours, but this year not. Plus I am sleeping a lot during the day as well. I think I am just exhausted after the past hectic eight years, so I am giving myself permission to just drift along for a while!

Susan said...

I read somewhere that any exposure to light while you're sleeping will trigger serotonin, which causes the old brain to kick into gear. No matter what the time. I love the long days, but I am right there with you on the wonky sleep patterns.

Laurie said...

I find myself getting up pretty early, too. And ice trained myself to do it in order to beat the heat outside. But between 2-4 pm, I want to snooze. I used to fight it and ended up being tired, sleepy and lethargic the rest of the evening. Now, I take a nap if I feel the need and have enough energy to finish my day. So when you lie down to rest, just go with it! I bet that 20 minute nap will make you feel a little more energetic.

Mama Pea said...

Vera - Good for you for realizing what your mind and body needs at this point in your life. I think we'd all be better off if we not only listened to what our bodies were trying to tell us, but than had the intelligence to do it! You go, girl.

Mama Pea said...

Susan - Maybe we should both opt for the shades that block out all light. Or one of those funny looking sleep masks. Nah. I think I need to readjust my thinking, stay positive and be more in tune with the seasons.

Mama Pea said...

Laurie - I think I would do the same thing if I had the extreme heat to contend with (for MONTHS!) as you do. Hurray for having the sense (that would be me, if I had the sense!) to do what is necessary to make it all a bit easier!

Sandy Livesay said...

Mama Pea,

Early to bed makes for an early riser!!!
It's strange, I find as I get older, I really don't need as much sleep. Up early, work your butt off, and then to bed usually before 10PM. Unless of course you're wide awake because you had a cup of coffee too late in the day. Sweetie, you work your butt off daily. I bet when you do sleep, you sleep soundly, and in a deep sleep.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I have always woken up early as well - even on weekends. My body wakes up at 5 every day :) sometimes I just want to sleep in!

Mama Pea said...

Sandy - You sound like my husband. A late(r) dose of caffeine and he's in trouble for falling asleep. Wish I felt like I needed less sleep these days. But then I've always needed more than 8 hours to feel really good. I hardly remember getting into bed last night and slept until 5:45 this morning. It's all good. :o)

Mama Pea said...

Op Ex - The "experts" say we shouldn't alter our sleep patterns on weekends . . . so you're doing okay. Even though you do want to sleep in sometimes!

Rain said...

I've definitely fallen into the cycles of nature. I sleep a lot less in the spring and summer, even though I feel like you Mama Pea, I'm exhausted in the evenings. Once dinner is made I'm down for the count. My bf and I eat, and walk the dogs, then sit in bed with a movie that my eyes can never stay awake for. But I'm so awake and active all day long! My natural alarm clock won't let me sleep past 8am on a good day. Plus, the dogs don't care if I need sleep, they need to be walked on schedule! In the fall and winter, I sleep a lot more and am less active. I think that's the way nature wants it so I'm not fighting it ;)...I'm lucky I don't have to work a 9-5er, I don't think I could handle it any more.

Mama Pea said...

Rain - Yes, sitting down at night whether it be to read, watch a movie or whatever . . . first I start yawning and can't stop, then the eyes get blurry, then they won't stay open and it's all over in short order! And like you, when I say I'm going to sleep in, I need to sleep in . . . my body won't cooperate! You may not be a regular out-of-the-home 9-5er, but you've got responsibilities, just the same, that dictate, to one degree or the other, your day's schedule. Same here for me and the tasks I want/need to get done every day.

Rain said...

Yes, and thank goodness I can dictate my own schedule! I get most of the chores done by noon because I know I'm toast after that! :)