Midlife and older sleeping

trainlady · #1 (**permalink**) 05-30-2012, 12:30 PM

So hows everyone sleeping these days?

I have had what I call my "night owls" for a few years now. I have gotten used to it and rather like it. On the mornings I have to get up early, I take a melatonin the night before and it does the trick.
I also need less sleep.

When I have my night owls I read, do chores (anything but vacuuming!) I have been know to be out back in my gown hanging the laundry at midnight! What a scene! Bwahahaha!! But in the summertime, in Bakersfield, that is the time to do it!!!!! I even water the lawn then!

How about you?

hugs, train

Lewcas · #2 (**permalink**) 06-09-2012, 10:21 AM

I have not slept well in years. My husband snores like an arena rock concert. He has been diagnosed with sleep apnea, and has a CPAP mask, but there are many nights he cannot tolerate wearing it all night. I don't know what I would do without my prescription sleeping pills.

RobertaD · #3 (**permalink**) 06-09-2012, 03:09 PM

I use melatonin to treat my sleep apnea but with DH's health problems he doesn't sleep well which effects my sleep. I know I don't get all the sleep I need end up most days only getting 6 hrs I will get more this summer as I don't have to get up as early with the kids for school. When school starts back up in Aug. I plan on going to bed earlier.

Roberta

apricot · #4 (**permalink**) 07-04-2012, 12:43 AM

I can't sleep through the night, even with taking melatonin. I usually wake up after 3 or 4 hours. I might load or unload the dishwasher or sort through papers but don't do any other chores. After that I read for awhile or listen to a book on my ipod and then try to go back to sleep. On days I'm home I usually take a nap in the afternoon.

ellenmelon · #5 (**permalink**) 07-09-2012, 03:55 PM

I eat some carbs, drink some water, brush my teeth, read a book, go online, watch old tv shows, usually lasts about 2-3 hours

**Sammi1961** · #6 (**permalink**) 07-15-2012, 01:52 PM

OMG since I entered peri-menopause I have had a terrible time sleeping. Either I have trouble falling asleep or I have trouble staying asleep. And I wake at the crack of dawn. I feel tired but just can't sleep. I will be glad when I come out on the other side of this. On the nights I can't sleep I read.

Jenny · #7 (**permalink**) 07-15-2012, 03:46 PM

Oh My, I just logged in and it has been nearly a year since I have been to FC. I don't know how I had forgotten it. I have never been very busy here but I remember a few names. Now that I am older (69 soon to be 70) although I don't feel like those numbers tend to sound, I don't sleep as much. I usually have no problems getting to sleep although I do stay up late. I go to bed listening to Christian podcasts on my Ipod. But I often wake during the night or very early in the morning. I usually grab my laptop spend an hour or two and then go back to sleep. I no longer have my husband living so have no one to disturb if I got up. But I feel like at least I am resting if in the bed and there is not enough house work to keep my day full, let alone do it at night. I love my sleeping tablets which I take just occasionally when I want a sound night's sleep. But at least I can take a nap if I am at home in the afternoon.
I think my problem is inactivity. Less work = more sitting. and I hate exercise. I know this isn't good for me but my crocheting calls me very loudly.
I am glad to be back here and must make more of a habit of stopping by.

Jennifer

Pag36 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-15-2012, 03:55 PM

Hi Jenny and welcome back. If not for my prescription sleeping pill I would not sleep much at all if any. I cut it in half and try that if after awhile still not asleep,
I get up come on here or maybe read somemore then take other half. But even with the pill don't sleep all nite

Sueanne · #9 (**permalink**) 07-15-2012, 06:38 PM

Welcome back Jenny!
Working outside helps me sleep as soon as i hit the pillow. I find eating a bagel keeps me from getting low sugar during the night.
Try not to drink coffee before going to sleep because of the caffein.
I don't go to sleep until twelve. I am ready to hit the sack by then.
_______
Sueanne

blondie29697 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-15-2012, 07:51 PM

I got used to staying up till 2-2:30AM with my ex-husband. If I went to bed first, then awoke during the night and checked inside the house, he'd gone to bed and left the doors unlocked or the alarm not set. So, I would stay up with him. After I got divorced, I still continued those hours. I do get enough sleep as I don't get up until 9AM and tell everyone not to call me until after 9AM. I'm thinking of saying "Noon" as some will call at 9:01AM when I'm on my way to the bathroom. I've learned to just not answer the phone if I don't want to. It took me years to learn that.
I used to go to sleep and wake up within an hour. Now, I sleep longer, but usually awake during the night, but just lie there quietly until I go back to sleep. Sometimes I do get up at 9AM and reset the clock for 9:30AM. Ironically, I can get more sleep during that last 1/2 hr.
I've taken Melatonin and don't like the feeling I get of slowly going to sleep. There were a few times when I'd get up, get something to eat and go back to sleep. So, whatever works for each of us is what we need to do.