Allotments 4 All

Did you see that program last nite with the rather dahsing Doctor Winston about sleep?  Very interesting and funny to see that peoples sleep requirements are all so different and it is a myth that we all need 8 hours per night, and also milky drinks make no difference to us nodding of what so ever!  I did the test and turned out to be missus average!  Typical.  I have a good balance between life and work, work being mum, I am neither a night owl nor a lark, but function pretty groovily whatever time of night or day, I do not suffer from imsomnia and get just about the right amount of sleep, could probably go a bit more, but then couldn't we all!

It was interesting to watch a chap who had really become obsessed about not sleeping, so he ended up not sleeping because he was obsessing about it!

Some of the info was obvious, don't drink caffine drinks at bedtime, I know that one because if I have a coffee whilst reading in my bed, not only do I need to pee 15 times during the nite, but I lay there wide awake for what seems like ages!  Also the bedroom should be a sanctuary, a calming space, and ours is - TV is banned, along with telephones and other toys.  Plenty of fresh air and light in your life will help make you feel more perky.

Very interesting program.  Do like Doc Winston!

What's the test? I didn't see the programme.

I've had to cut all caffeine out. A few times I used to have a coffee at lunchtime and would then be unable to sleep at night. It really affects me.

I think I sleep too much. I'm really tired today, but I slepty for about 9 hours!

Yes I saw it EJ and thought it was very interesting. Some of the things were very obvious as you say, but even so a lot of people don't always think of the obvious; like having your bedroom full of electrical equipment, and did you see the colour of one man's bedroom, a red and beige - not the most resful colour.  That poor woman who snored - incredible sound!

Thankfully now my sleep pattern is not too bad, and I am happy to get 6 hours but can wake up a few times during the night, and I am by nature a bit of an owl too.  Menopausal woman sometimes have problems with sleep (don't mention hot flushes, just in case they come back).  I know only too well also that sleep can be an issue, as four years ago I had a Chronic Fatigue illness and could only sleep about an hour at a time,which was horrible, and in a situation like that you do stress about lack of sleep because it becomes so important to you, which in turn stops you from sleeping.

My great saviour was in  getting an allotment as there is no greater aid to sleep that working out in the fresh air on your plot.  I do like Prof Winston, he  is very good at programmes like this one - he has the right air of authority for them I think but also a sympathetic manner.  busy_lizzie

The voice of doom says - didn't see it, but enjoy what you have now 'cos it'll probably get worse with age!! = Tim

Tim - do you have trouble sleepy? I thought more mature folks fell to sleep anyway, anytime (at least that's what it's like in my family!)

It is funny you saying about the age thing Aqui.  My mums mum and dad need very little sleep, are incredibly active, and young for their 70+ years.  My dads mum could sleep all day long, and all night and isn't so young for her 80+ years.  Sorry Nan! 

One thing they did say on the prog was sleeping patterns can be genetic, a certain gene determins whether you are a night owl or a lark. 

It's all this owl and lark business that confuses me - I'm no good first thing in the morning, and I can't stay up late. What's a midday bird called? well I'm one of those. I only ever seem to wake up around meal times! At least in winter, anyway. In the summer I'm a lark (I think - summer was such a long time ago!)

Aqui, I wonder if you get a bit of Winter Blues/SAD a little like me. I used to get so tired in the winter, nothing ever seemed to perk me up. I got obsessive, a little like EJ says, about my sleep, then couldn't sleep cos I was so worried about getting to sleep on time.

In the autumn, i got myself one of those light boxes and I use it for as long as I have time for in the morning, around half an hour, and around an hour when I get home. Seems to fit in okay with my computer time! I have felt so much better this year  :D

A very interesting programme !

I was watching it lying on the bed (which is not supposed to be a good idea- electrical items in the bedroom) and was almost asleep at one stage, I had to really force myelf to keep awake to the end.

I find it relatively easy to get to sleep now. In the past I always used to go through all the things I had done that day and then what I needed to do the next day and consequently then had difficulty getting to sleep.

Agree with Lizzie having the allotment helps to get a good nights sleep. A day spent digging is a guarentee of a good nights sleep.

Aqui - 'more mature'? - love it - so delicately put!!

It's mainly my fault. I go to bed very early - hate TV - when not tired & with mind buzzing. Eventually get to sleep, but wake in the small hours & long for dawn when I can get into the garden. That's a long wait at this time of year. Of course, I also have a couple of hours rest after lunch so I'm not exactly exhausted by the evening.

Do agree with the fresh air treatment but, sadly, one can't do a real workout these days. It's as much as I can do to carry in a case of wine!!

As to drinks & things - when dear wife can't sleep, she comes down & has a bite to eat & a hot drink & goes straight off!! = Tim

Moggle I was really interested to hear about the light box you have got.  I am sure winter has a poor affect on me too as I find it very difficult energy-wise during the really dark days.  I wondered whether they were any good.  Where did you get yours from? busy_lizzie

BL I got my light box from http://www.healthy-house.co.uk/ I've got a brite spark, which it doesn't look like they do any more, looks like it has been replaced by a 'litepod'.

I rented it for 2 months first so I could see what it did. Then they take one months rent off the price (£115) if you decide to buy.

If you get more expensive ones, you don't have to use them for as long.

I saw it very interesting.  There is a webpage for those that didn't see it HERE

I'm usually a lark.  With three year old twins you have to be!

I would rather be in bed early and up early, although the internet, and tv seem to be hindering that at the moment!

  Hi Aqui have a look at the test on   bbc.co.uk/sleep it may deconfuse you ;D ;D.

 I can get by on short naps and if I do go to bed early before 12 I usually read for a couple of hours. I am always up about 5 much to the annoyance of the wife. I cannot get by without my coffee and always start the day with a couple of mugs of expresso and a french f*g. I recon I can start the car without the battery :)

Thanks for the info moggle.  It is worth investigating I think.  Sleep is a fascinating subject. For something that is supposed to be a natural function it can be very complicated for some people.    busy_lizzie

I do loathe going to bed, seems such a waste, but then I really do not function well if overly tired.  I used to have real trouble sleeping, then I had 2 children and wow did that change!  Can sleep almost where I stand nowadays.  Have found that on days that I go to the gym and allotment days I am even more tired than usual and tend to nap on the sofa in the evenings.  My trouble is I like to be toasty and warm, can never be too hot for me, so the heating is always pumped up and the house is always warm, which of course makes me sleep all the easier!

Tis now quarter to the witching hour and I have just guzzled a mug of coffee and am going to head off to bed......reading a good chick lit book at the mo so may have 10 minutes with that under the duvet  ;)

Nighty night EJ, enjoy your book, all nice and comfy cosy under the duvet.  Hope you have a good sleep. As a Night Owl still quite alert. busy_lizzie

Good morning - overslept a bit!!

Whether you sleep well or not, whether you have aches & pains or not, you might as well be comfortable. We've just put 2" 'memory foam' mattress toppers on all beds & we're on Cloud 9. Actually, under new designations, that's Cloud 10. And not hugely expensive, compared with the Tempur ones.

I love the shaped pillows as well, but I do not think that they are everyone's cup of tea. =  Tim

Good Morning!

Now Tim I completely agree.  DHs dad made our bed for us (wrought iron king size beautiful bed) and we spent a small fortune on the pocket sprung matress. Then have a fleecy soft cover then crisp linin sheets (well about once a month they're crisp and fresh anyway!) and good quality pillows.

I'm so glad we got a king size as sometimes fitting 4 of us in it is a squeeze  :)