Don't Fight the Feeling (body clock that is)

[kteague]

Was just taking a few minutes to catch up on my reading here. Haven't had as much free time as when I was in my own place. Travel did a number on me with my legs swelling and none of my body systems working well. Enjoyed my time in scenic West Virginia, and not being an experienced flyer, I had ooohs and ahhhs seeing the aerial view of Chicago at sunset and then the night lights of L.A. But three weeks into this I was a mess and was wondering if sleep issues would make this journey miserable and short lived. I'd fought so hard to get on a schedule and time changes were getting ready to mess with that. I've spent years fighting my inclinations to stay up late. Didn't want to sleep half my days away, and besides, my sleep doc wanted me to get on a better schedule. So I had managed to do that, and could go to bed at a reasonable time, although my first few hours of the nights were always lighter and more restless sleep, but sleep nonetheless and not really unpleasant. But the least little discomfort could throw a monkey wrench in my sleep. Well, I'm now one week into sleeping on west coast time and sleeping on a couch and I have to tell you, I have ankles again, and with no medication to induce flushing. From the moment my head hits the pillow I am sound asleep, and if I have a potty run from drinking too much too late, I fall right back asleep. My whole night's sleep is as good or better than my last half used to be.

If and when I return to the midwest, I think I'm just going to adjust my lighting environment to accomodate my natural sleep rhythms. I've come to believe that most of my inclinations, once my sleep disorders were treated, were no longer insomnia or a disorder, just my new normal body clock, and since early morning hours are not required of me, I'm not gonna fight the feeling. I'll get more out of the remainder of my days being rested that a full day feeling like crap. But for now, I'm waking up in L.A. with the sun and loving it! Thinking our forum friend Blarg who found similar relief when he moved to Australia.

[rested gal]

for now, I'm waking up in L.A. with the sun and loving it!

Loved the visits I've had to California during my dog showing days.
Lot of beautiful scenery and weather to enjoy out there!

[CruzTerri]

Welcome to California!!!

[islandboy5150]

Welcome to the land of fruits, nuts, and illegal aliens; Mexifornia.

[Julie]

Islandboy - Why are you so bent on bringing completely unnecessary unpleasantness to this forum which is not set up for political wise-cracks, but health issues (whether or not OT's are allowed)?

We're all very familiar now with your take on things - do you think we can get a break for a while?

[islandboy5150]

Well, when the state legislature votes overwhelmingly to give my hard earned tax dollars away to illegal aliens to attend college while taxpaying American students get turned down for financial aid, and state parks are closed, and DMV offices are closed every other Friday and designated fire stations are completely shut down on a "blackout rolling" basis...all with the excuse of no money to operate them, why would this state give millions of taxpayers money away to illegals to go to college after all of that? THATS WHY!!! I'm fed up and just telling kteague the truth of how things are here, but in a welcoming way of course. Welcome to HELL. Governor Brown is about to sign the bill into law this week, against a 70-80% majority of the population being against it, giving us all the middle finger to please La Rasa and the Mexican caucus in the state legislature.
And don't blame me for my rant, you asked.

[FizzyWater]

I've spent years fighting my inclinations to stay up late. Didn't want to sleep half my days away, and besides, my sleep doc wanted me to get on a better schedule.

<snip!>

If and when I return to the midwest, I think I'm just going to adjust my lighting environment to accomodate my natural sleep rhythms. I've come to believe that most of my inclinations, once my sleep disorders were treated, were no longer insomnia or a disorder, just my new normal body clock, and since early morning hours are not required of me, I'm not gonna fight the feeling.

As someone who fights what I am convinced is a 25-hour body clock, I never "got" the "sleeping half the day away" mentality. Currently, I'm going to bed sometime between 3:00-5:00 AM and getting up between 11:00AM-noon. Lots of days, I get up a little earlier. People still want to say to me that I'm "sleeping in", but I know I seldom get 8 hours of sleep a night! I could say they're going to bed too early, the lazy bums!

If you have a life that lets you pick your hours and you're still able to make what appointments you need to and get your errands run, then go for it. It's your life!

[mars]

If and when I return to the midwest, I think I'm just going to adjust my lighting environment to accomodate my natural sleep rhythms. I've come to believe that most of my inclinations, once my sleep disorders were treated, were no longer insomnia or a disorder, just my new normal body clock, and since early morning hours are not required of me, I'm not gonna fight the feeling. I'll get more out of the remainder of my days being rested that a full day feeling like crap. But for now, I'm waking up in L.A. with the sun and loving it! Thinking our forum friend Blarg who found similar relief when he moved to Australia.

Good thinking Kathy - go for it and enjoy your each day your way

Say hello to Hollywood Boulevard for me, thats where I met Little Richard - a never to be forgotten experience

cheers

Mars

[Resister]

Was just taking a few minutes to catch up on my reading here. Haven't had as much free time as when I was in my own place. Travel did a number on me with my legs swelling and none of my body systems working well. Enjoyed my time in scenic West Virginia, and not being an experienced flyer, I had ooohs and ahhhs seeing the aerial view of Chicago at sunset and then the night lights of L.A. But three weeks into this I was a mess and was wondering if sleep issues would make this journey miserable and short lived. I'd fought so hard to get on a schedule and time changes were getting ready to mess with that. I've spent years fighting my inclinations to stay up late. Didn't want to sleep half my days away, and besides, my sleep doc wanted me to get on a better schedule. So I had managed to do that, and could go to bed at a reasonable time, although my first few hours of the nights were always lighter and more restless sleep, but sleep nonetheless and not really unpleasant. But the least little discomfort could throw a monkey wrench in my sleep. Well, I'm now one week into sleeping on west coast time and sleeping on a couch and I have to tell you, I have ankles again, and with no medication to induce flushing. From the moment my head hits the pillow I am sound asleep, and if I have a potty run from drinking too much too late, I fall right back asleep. My whole night's sleep is as good or better than my last half used to be.

If and when I return to the midwest, I think I'm just going to adjust my lighting environment to accomodate my natural sleep rhythms. I've come to believe that most of my inclinations, once my sleep disorders were treated, were no longer insomnia or a disorder, just my new normal body clock, and since early morning hours are not required of me, I'm not gonna fight the feeling. I'll get more out of the remainder of my days being rested that a full day feeling like crap. But for now, I'm waking up in L.A. with the sun and loving it! Thinking our forum friend Blarg who found similar relief when he moved to Australia.

That's a GREAT plan! I've spent years getting up entirely too early because of the kids. Now they're old enough to hang out for an hour until I wake up. Like you--I'm not fighting it anymore!!! I feel more rested with 6 hours sleep from 1:30 a.m.-7:30 a.m. than I do getting 7-8 hours and having to get up at 6. Hopefully one day I can stay up until 2, like hubby who works late, and sleep until 8-9, but that day hasn't arrived.

Run with it!

[gasp]

Enjoy the sun and surf. I will always love those days of surfing the waves and enjoying the never ending mild sun! We finally moved out of California to be closer to family and after doing our taxes for the first time in the new state we realized just how many thousands of local and state taxes we paid living in California. And from a small business owner's perspective we realized just how much of the profit went to the state (not to start anything here but I can see his point).

[kteague]

Yeah, Cali is known for it's climates - weather, social, political, entertainment... Today I was introduced to one of this state's other claims to fame - the earthquake. Good thing I was in the pool and didn't feel it or I might have been on the next plane out, except planes scare me 'bout as much. LOL

[gasp]

Yeah, Cali is known for it's climates - weather, social, political, entertainment... Today I was introduced to one of this state's other claims to fame - the earthquake. Good thing I was in the pool and didn't feel it or I might have been on the next plane out, except planes scare me 'bout as much. LOL

I completely forgot about the earthquakes! I used to Quakehold type of product which is sticky stuff you put on the bottom of fragile pieces throughout the home to avoid breakage. http://www.amazon.com/Quakehold-88111-M ... 736&sr=8-1

I also put cabinet tops on all cabinet doors to breakable things. http://www.amazon.com/Child-Safety-Spri ... 848&sr=1-2

Oh yes, and I attached all bookcases and entertainment centers to studs in the walls. http://www.amazon.com/KidCo-Anti-Tip-Fu ... 894&sr=8-4

Hope you're never in the tub when a biggie hits - that's an adventure!