Monday, October 25, 2010

Sleep, who needs it?

Most of my life, I needed 8-9 hours of sleep a night. That was the amount that left me feeling well rested, happy and healthy. If I went more then a couple nights on less sleep, my body shut me down. I got sick enough that I had no choice but get the rest my body demanded.

Then I had children.

According to my mother (who I still think might have been delusional), I slept through the night at two weeks old.

My children did not follow my example.

Spud took 3 YEARS to sleep through the night regularly. Sweetpea (who is 1.5 years younger,) took 1.5 years. They both started sleeping through the night within a month of each other.

I learned survival. I learned to function on less sleep. And, I functioned like a zombie for a lot of that time. I could do it, but that doesn't mean it was good for me. It doesn't mean it was good for my body.

This past week has been like a revival of that time. Sweetpea is working on her final molars, and is usually waking up screaming once a night. Spud is wetting his bed, after staying dry for the last few months. Last week, I was preparing for a craft fair, and was going to bed late because of it.

Last night, I was up 3 times with my children. My children, who are now 2 and 3.5. Could someone please send them a memo that they should be sleeping better now?

How does sleep affect me? Well, my workouts have been sluggish and breaking my sugar addiction again last week was harder then it should have been. Today, I know I'm in for a challenge. When I'm this sleep deprived, I tend to want to snack more. It's like a belief that food can make up for lost sleep.

So, who needs sleep?

ME.

6 comments:

  1. Yep, I need sleep too. Also, lack of sleep has been associated with inability to lose weight.

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  2. I am so with you on this subject particularly relating to the eating for energy, craving high carb/sugar enriched food! I have no words of wisdom really but find water can help.
    And as for parenting on little sleep I hope your kids still bless you with naps in the afternoon. My oldest stopped napping for me at 3.5 yrs.
    And I hope you get some time in for a run this week even if the weather in your neck of the woods isn't so great. I live a few hours north west of you in the same province and we have "snow" today. I know you had not too long ago.
    Have a great week and you can do this! Heather

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  3. Deb, I am so with you on the sleep thing. I don't have children, so never had to deal with that, but I did have some sleep deprivation issues associated with the "change." Thought I'd never get past that! Without sleep, I get really cranky which isn't my nature at all. Hope this works out soon for you!

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  4. Me!!! I need sleep or else I can't function!!

    This is a great birth control post!! :)

    I don't get enough sleep during the week so I have to play catch up on the weekend. I sometimes I have to nap.

    Hmmm I didn't notice a cold spot on my head where the logo is.

    I think my oven temp is fine since everything else bakes properly. It is probably a good idea to get a thermometer for it though. I must have messed up an ingredient somewhere. That's ok- I don't need the cookies!!!

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  5. I know what you mean.

    The funny things is now Trouble is sleeping through the night finally so therefore so am I but its so much harder to get up in the morning now.

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  6. At least children are a good reason to have to get up at night! Try having a dog who is over 2 years old and still makes us get up 3 times every single night... it makes me want to cry, but I love him.

    I was wondering on the way to work this morning if I'm ever actually going to stop feeling this tired. Not likely since I've been constantly tired since junior high. :(

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