Sleep; The Elusive Dream

I used to sleep like the proverbial log when I was younger and would wonder about the occasional person I heard about who couldn't sleep. Drinking a cup or two of coffee later in the evening never bothered me, and my husband always said I was asleep within minutes of putting my head on the pillow. Only if it was within an hour of my actual alarm time would it be hard for me to slip back into slumber. Then, thoughts of the day ahead would overtake my desire for a little more sleep. 

Now that I'm retired, sleeping has become a struggle. Getting to sleep still seems to be a happy thought, and my comforter, crisp white sheets, and fresh air pouring in all the bedroom windows beckon me as I nod off on the couch. However, only one or two hours of unconsciousness is mine before my eyes pop open and my every-other-hour trips to sleeplessness begin.  Curiousity gets the best of me and then I check the clock. Yep, I was awake only an hour ago. 

Exercise seems to be a factor;  if I haven't gotten any exercise during the day my legs get the "wiggles" and I need to walk through the house listening to my iPod for an hour. Too much exercise causes my calf muscles to cramp up, sending me straight up and out of bed in an effort to stretch the offending culprits. And drinking coffee before bed? Forget about it and anything else after 3:00! You get the picture.

Other facets of my sleeplessness can include: I'm too hot, too cold, the pillow feels like a rock or a sponge depending on my state of mind; both of us snore and wake the other one up regularly; and irritating at the least, and a bit scary, is my inability to get a certain tune out of my head. It will be there when I wake up even if I haven't listened to it for days and have worked at getting other songs into my repertoire. Ugh. 

Not one for taking medications unless prescribed by the doctor, "the green butterfly" (Ambien)  and his associates won't become part of my pill taking. Melatonin, St. John's Wart, and the occasional Tylenol will have to suffice. Their effects don't last until noon either. 

Vivid in my memory is Michael J. Foxx in some episodes of Family Ties when he went sleepless for many days and was so miserable, and it reminds me that my sleep troubles are minor and don't interfere with my life.