In a personal update published earlier today, I mentioned the need to overcome my lifelong battle with insomnia. Even though the title of this post guarantees I will beat my lifelong fo, the truth is I’m not sure.
During my just about completed vacation, I haven’t slept nearly enough. That isn’t an unusual statement for me. I have been tired almost every day of my life.
- I used to rest my chin on my arm in school and hope I didn’t sleep.
- For as long as I can remember, I have regularlyly been so tired at the end of the day that I have to remind myself where I’m going and what I’m doing.
- I often think it would be nice to do something in the evening, but I’m too tired to do it.
- More often than not, I take a nap I know I shouldn’t take. Then, I don’t sleep well at night.
I have tried exercising in the morning. I have tried exercising in the evening. I have tried Melatonin. I have tried giving up caffeine. Over the years, I have tried everything I could think of trying–except one.
I’m finally ready to try to have a regular bedtime and a consistent time to wake. I’m hoping I can get to bed by 10:30 and wake up at 5:00. That will give me enough time to read the newspapers and exercise before work.
I’m going to put my phone on do not disturb. I’m going to make sure I don’t go to bed hungry or too full. I’m going to try to turn off my thoughts through deep breathing.
I have no idea if this will work. All I know is I have to make regular sleep a priority. I now realize my life won’t have the balance I crave until my body and mind get the rest they need. That lack of balance will keep me from reaching my goals and making the difference I know I can make. So, it’s time for me to fight insomnia like I have never fought it before.
I’m going to post updates as to how my battle with insomnia is going; maybe, the updates will encourage me to keep fighting.