What's Your Fantasy Superpower?

Mine is to be Queen of sleep. (If you are never tired, or don't get it, you probably already have that super power.) Insomnia’s a BEAST.

It not just me either. According to the Academy of Sleep Medicine,

30% to 35% of adults have brief symptoms of insomnia,

15% to 20% have short-term insomnia.

10% have chronic insomnia

Mine is infrequently frequent. I can go for days waking up only 32 times a night, (that’s good) to a regular stinker of a sleep. My nights look like this..

Fall asleep fine. Wake up at 2 am. Get up. Do some housework. Edit some voice overs. Go back to bed with tea and porridge. Drift off at 5. Wake up at 6, and that’s it for the day. Its horrid and make me feel grotty. I always hope the big VO jobs fall on a good sleep day, though I swear no client ever knows when I am suffering.

Apparently, insomnia is more common in older adults, women, and people with mental health issues. It can also be triggered by stress, lifestyle factors, environmental factors, medical conditions, or medications. Negative side effects include increased risk of chronic diseases, impaired cognitive function, mood disorders, and reduced quality of life . Well, that’s cheery. They missed off looking like an old bag too!

I am beginning to accept this is my life and has been since I was 14! Acceptance is key. Bring on the Eckhart Tolle quote.

Accept the present moment as if you had chosen it. This will miraculously transform your whole life.  (More from my spiritual guru another time…)

So, I am accepting and it lessens the sting to not be internally moaning about being tired all the time. SHUT UP that voice in my head!

Some tips from the sleep boffins.

Insomnia can be treated with various methods, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation techniques, stimulus control therapy, medication, or natural remedies. (Herbal stuff never made a difference to me.)

Some self-care tips to prevent or reduce insomnia include keeping a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and heavy meals before bed, creating a comfortable and quiet sleeping environment, exercising regularly, and limiting the use of electronic devices before bed .

That last list just made me tired! Not in full agreement either. A bowl of pasta and a glass or 2 of red wine makes me super drift- offable. Anyway, I share cos I know I am not alone. And, sharing helps.

If you are one of those people who can...

• Sleep on a plane.

• Sleep anywhere.

• Fall asleep with the TV on.

• Sleep no matter the noise around you.

• Sleep in an airport lounge.

• Sleep in the FLOOR...

KNOW THIS. You have the best superpower known to humans!  And I hate you! 😉