I get teased unmercifully about my need to have my sleeping conditions 'just right'. I'll admit that the planets do have to be lined up properly for me to fall asleep and stay asleep, but I do not think I am alone in this pathologically prescriptive sleep requirement.
My SO and I just spent the weekend with a number of adults who also sleep poorly away from home. A common thread in conversations was, "How did you sleep?" "Poorly." "You, too?" Then the conversation would gravitate to the hows and whys of the poor-sleep scenarios that left many of us yawning and periodically dozing off during the day.
Personally, I cannot sleep if there is any light. Even the faintest glow from a digital display on a clock-radio's face can disturb my ability to fall asleep. The slightest noise can keep me awake or awaken me from a sound sleep. If I am within hearing range of a clock whose machinery makes even the softest of sounds........I cannot sleep.
Last night provided a triple-whammy in the poor-sleep department. The room in which we were sleeping became overly warm - problem number one. The mattress is a soft, older one that has a distinct decline where my head was - problem number two. When the room became unbearably stuffy and warm, my thoughtful SO got up during the night to open a window to allow some heat to escape and some cooler air to enter. There was a gentle breeze.......which made the old window shade's wooden pull-slat rhythmically bump against the window's frame.......over and over and over - problem number three until I got up and raised the window shade as high as it would go. The tapping ceased but I never got back to sleep.
What I, and countless other just like me, wouldn't give to sleep uninterruptedly all night long. Oh, I know there are gizmos that you can purchase to aid and abet a good night's sleep, but if a person utilized all of the sleep aids available to buy, one would look like an alien from outer space. You would never be able to sleep with all of the wires, glue, masks, etc. covering your head and face. What we need are sleep 'caves' constructed within our residences. The problem would then become the need to transport our sleep 'caves' with us wherever we travel.
If you are a reading this posting and you are a 'good' sleeper, gather some zzzz's for those of us who struggle nightly with elusive slumber. You will know who we are. We are the ones who are yawning during the sermon, pep talk, department meeting or friendly conversation.
Ancora imparo
