the upside of insomnia
By crumpet
@crumpet (10)
United States
January 12, 2007 4:28am CST
since i'm often alone in this particular viewpoint, i dont expect a lot of replies on this subject, but since it's a very big world out there, i thought i'd ask...
am i the only one who sometimes embraces my insomnia?
now, dont get me wrong. it's not always fun. i've sometimes found myself at 3am, rocking back and forth in front of an infomercial and wondering if i, too, could use a space saving appliance. on rare occasions, i've even had that "third day delusion" where i'm not all there and i'm actually sick. but much of the time there are upsides to being a member of the chronically awake.
i accomplish more between 11pm and 4am than i do between 11am and 4pm - which is really saying something because i get a LOT done at work. i'm more creative at this hour. unhindered. i can write or watch movies or whatever and be completely unmolested by the phone or deadlines or laundry or any of the other things that preoccupy the bulk of my day. and because of that, i'm more likely to read up on world events, asian culture, british trip hop, my integumentary system... whatever comes to mind.
also - i'm more creative at this hour. listen more closely to what happens around me and within me.
does anyone else actually enjoy their insomnia?
6 people like this
16 responses
@xphile777 (427)
• United States
13 Jan 07
I don't think you have insomnia. Everyone has their own natural inner clock, and not everyone's "clock" is set for an "up all day, sleep all night" schedule.
I think your natural bio "clock" is like mine, set for a schedule of sleeping during the day and awake at night, because that's when you're most productive and creative at this time. If you were a "daywalker" (as I like to call them :)) you'd probably wouldn't be "embracing" your insomnia because it would be going against your grain.
I'm fortunate because I have a pretty open schedule, so I go by what my body naturally tells me to: sleep during the day, be up at night. When I have to be on a "normal" daytime routine, I'm out of sorts, tired, and not really at my best.
So rejoice! You're a nightowl, not an insomniac -- or a daywalker. ;)
@Ciniful (1587)
• Canada
12 Jan 07
I understand completely what you mean. I'm a willing insomniac, meaning I sleep as little as possible on purpose, often happily embracing my sleep deprivation.
I get a ton of work done at odd hours of the morning. I get to sit in peace and quiet, surrounded by night, working on my websites, painting, writing poetry or whatever else strikes me at the time.
With me, I think the main motivation is ... I don't want to waste my life unconscious. I'm well aware of how fast time goes, and how valuable it is, that I'd rather spend it awake doing something I enjoy than snoring and somewhere off in la la land.
1 person likes this
@pramod05bc (235)
• India
13 Jan 07
i enjoy that to...the feelin of tierdness and the burin of ur eye balls...lol...i love it...
@Trace86 (5030)
• United States
12 Jan 07
Since I work the 3p-1130p shift, I get home at midnight and can't just go to sleep because my husband wants to. I often go read in the living room or drag my computer out there. I would much rather be in bed snuggling and listening to him breathe but it really annoys him when he can tell I am not remotely tired. I am not sure if I truly have insomnia or am just on a different sleep schedule.
1 person likes this
@crumpet (10)
• United States
12 Jan 07
i understand the alternate sleep schedule thing. when i freelanced, i slept 3-4 hours every 16 hours or so. it was great. odd how your schedule dictates the most ordinary of bodily functions. like the way i sometimes realize that i've been hopping in my chair for an hour because i have to pee but i'm trying to make a deadline. :o)
@bertus_magnus (329)
• Philippines
13 Jan 07
yeah, i get what you mean. i also have insomnia, and though it's a pain to be unable to sleep when you want to, even when you're tired and stuff, i also enjoy the fact that i can stay up late without really trying. like you i also accomplish more late at night than during the day. i feel more alert in this time, and also my creative juices are overflowing. i get more motivated to do stuff that i need to do. i just wish insomnia can be turned off so when i do want to sleep i wont have to try hard or take meds or chamomile tea or yoga or something.
1 person likes this
@unithorn (193)
• United States
13 Jan 07
I am usually sleeping when the world is coming awake. I'll get to bed between 5 and 7 am, and wake up between 8 and 11am...if I'm that sleepy. I have never been much of a sleeper, and will generally only sleep for 2-4 hours, if at all.
4 hours seems to be the magic number. If I can somehow manage to get four hours every night, I will never need a night of more rest. Usually, though, I will go for two or three days without sleeping at all, then sleep for six hours or so...
Most recently, I have slept 2 hours every 4th night for 3 weeks or so, then crash out for 12 hours, wake up for 3, then sleep another eight. It is very bad for my health, but my moods/patterns/work schedule/mediocre social life often dictate my sleeping arrangements.
I am most creative at 0300. It seems that inhibitions fly out the window, and creative energy is much more willing to be unleashed.
1 person likes this
@bluesweatergirl (33)
• United States
14 Jan 07
I enjoy my insomnia as long as I don't have anything to do the next day lol. As a writer I am the most productive at night. Unfortunately I have to be awake during the day, so even after a wonderful night of creativity I'm usually suffering as I try to stay awake in class the next day.
I can't wait to be a full time writer and set my own hours...which will mostly be at night lol.
1 person likes this
@MGjhaud (23240)
• Philippines
13 Jan 07
sometimes yes. im in school and you know the nature of students right. i read sometimes till 3am without noticing the time. the benefit IS that i can finish a book [ im into ] that fast. the disadvantages ARE you'll feel exhausted the next few hours, missed your proper meal [ or appetite ], inactive mind, you know sort of like that feeling. but its ok, im sort of used to it.
@getnbuy (1312)
• United States
13 Jan 07
Some of us have our biological clocks set differently. I am a night owl. I get a "second wind" at night. Since I don't have to go to work in the morning I often just go with the flow. I am more creative at night, too. Yes, I often enjoy being up at night. It is quieter then.
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
13 Jan 07
I don't enjoy insomnia but I must be honest I like the peace and quiet of the hours, I sometimes wish I could go for a nice long walk, but today that is not the safest thing to do, but I do know how you feel, but as my doctor say for me it is not good, I need to sleep in these hours...
@brightbluesea (1143)
• United States
13 Jan 07
I think you have a great perspective on it! I've been dealing with it on and off for about 6 months and I just didn't know how to deal with it at first but now I seem to think that maybe I should just adjust my sleep schedule because I do my best work and thinking in the middle of the night when I am up. I guess I should start to enjoy my insomnia instead of dreading or fighting it
@Irishchick22 (270)
• United States
13 Jan 07
I know this sounds crazy but i to have trouble sleeping and i feel pretty much the same way you do, i feel like i get more done at night and im definetly more creative, i do some free lance writing and i always do my writing at 3am in the morning. It does suck sometimes but for the most part i'm happy with it.
1 person likes this
@thekiwi (588)
• United States
13 Jan 07
I sometimes embrace my insomnia! I get alot of crap done, like laundry for example! and i clean, or i jot down a to do list for tomorrow...dont get me wrong, i dont always have this cheerie mood about it, but yea i dont always down insomnia!
@dianagaddi (765)
• Philippines
13 Jan 07
sometimes i do. i have long hours for mylot. i got to do a lot. i finish a lot :)
1 person likes this
@jbones32103 (717)
• United States
13 Jan 07
My husband and I both have insomnia. It seems like the only time we can really enjoy each others company since the kids are in bed at these hours. Like right now with it being 1:19am in the morning we are going to watch a good movie and relax. Yes I enjoy it sometimes. It's the getting up eary with the kids that is hard.lol
1 person likes this
@vashstampede992000 (2560)
• Philippines
1 Apr 07
There are two types of insomnia,
"primary and secondary".
The common causes for insomnia are:
1.Circadian Rythm sleep disorder
2.Parasomnia
3.Mania
4.Stimulants
5.Dehydration
6.Lack of Excercise
You can rely on sleeping tablets and sedatives for treating insomnia.
Apart from that you can take help of psychotherapy.
@vashstampede992000 (2560)
• Philippines
1 Apr 07
I dont really enjoy having this worst thing with me (Insomnia).
It really su**s my life and i dont have the normal life now compare before.
My eyebags are bad and it really getting bad day by day.
I feel sleepy but i cant sleep whenever i try to.
I dunno, it just like the worst thing in my life.
I hope, i can cure this as soon as possible.
Have a nice day ahead from Francis.
