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[rto] Beyond the Wall of Sleep
Sep. 8th, 2003 10:46 amSBB points out some of the great insomniacs throughout history, and how much inspiration seems to come after midnight. Have I ever had insomnia for more than 2 days in a row? By day 3 I am usually unconscious before I hit the pillow. There was that one 2+ week coughing fit until my parents dragged me kicking and screaming to get antibiotics, because it kept them awake.
heck, I slept in center camp at Burning Man, with the incessant cafe drum circles and kaleidosphere beats, without ear plugs. I was able to fall asleep after I left the playa. even without the music. (I remember some pennsic folks who'd have to play tapes of dumbeks for weeks afterwards to avoid insomnia.)
Six hours of sleep seems to be adequate. I try to arrange jobs where I can usually sleep until I naturally wake, since that seems to dramatically help immunity. I had an 8-4:30 worksite that seemed to spread more viruses than daycare. I was able to sell the boss on my natural time-shift at least until the epidemic passed. Which seems odd, since, barring this week's jet lag, I wake up at 7. I guess that drifts later in winter. I have 3 months to get in the habit of being asleep before midnight.
The sleep/immunity connection usually keeps me from ever de-prioritizing sleep. Well, unless there's someone tempting sleeping right next to me. (Mmmm... Toy!) Even in those circumstances, by day 3 I'm prioritizing sleep whether I want to not. I'm not sure I've ever made it to that crucial third night with any but one person. Certainly not with Fling, who eventually admitted he avoided crashing at my place when he couldn't bear the sleep-deprivation. I, of course, encourage him to sometime try three (3) consecutive nights. :)
heck, I slept in center camp at Burning Man, with the incessant cafe drum circles and kaleidosphere beats, without ear plugs. I was able to fall asleep after I left the playa. even without the music. (I remember some pennsic folks who'd have to play tapes of dumbeks for weeks afterwards to avoid insomnia.)
Six hours of sleep seems to be adequate. I try to arrange jobs where I can usually sleep until I naturally wake, since that seems to dramatically help immunity. I had an 8-4:30 worksite that seemed to spread more viruses than daycare. I was able to sell the boss on my natural time-shift at least until the epidemic passed. Which seems odd, since, barring this week's jet lag, I wake up at 7. I guess that drifts later in winter. I have 3 months to get in the habit of being asleep before midnight.
The sleep/immunity connection usually keeps me from ever de-prioritizing sleep. Well, unless there's someone tempting sleeping right next to me. (Mmmm... Toy!) Even in those circumstances, by day 3 I'm prioritizing sleep whether I want to not. I'm not sure I've ever made it to that crucial third night with any but one person. Certainly not with Fling, who eventually admitted he avoided crashing at my place when he couldn't bear the sleep-deprivation. I, of course, encourage him to sometime try three (3) consecutive nights. :)
