I love Open Culture exactly for things like this! Very interesting. I think I would find it more do-able than sleeping through the night, which I can't do anyway but try to achieve. I wonder if it was the precursor to siestas and naps?

Interesting, thank you.

@JackPedigo I use to do this when I lived in the quiet dark woods in Cle Elum. I'd sleep for about 4-5 hours. Wake up do some laundry/choirs, read, whatever for about 2+ hours then go back to sleep for about 3 hours.

I had motor mind big time. The People's Pharmacy recommended lemon balm tea (make it from the balm fresh or dried) and it helped. What helped the most was to give myself a time for ruminating and that was in the morning before getting up. When the temptation comes I just remind myself there is a time for that. Often, when there is a problem we try to get rid of it. A better approach is to admit it is there and just find a way of controlling it. The worst time is having to get up to pee. Then it starts. I often start thinking of something other than something that will keep me awake (like funny jokes or your cute kitties from this site).

@JackPedigo I tried lemon balm but it can interfere with your thyroid function if you have an under active one - which I do and take medication for.
I even had picked up a start to grow my own fresh organically. It was a bit later I discovered the downside but like any mint it started to take over so I pulled it out.
Motor mind - good one. Since I've been on the anti-anxiety med (5 months) I can get up to pee and go right back to sleep no motor mind, it's just like I use to be. It's just one of the things that have improved so I know it is having a beneficial effect and the best part NO negative side effects.

What they got u on ? Some of those on low dose can work miracles . It makes me so angry that people don’t give a shit and do what they want regardless . Smoking and asthma attacks are not a joke . This makes me mad . Fuck these people

@Pralina1 I am taking Sertaline 50 mg once a day. I started at 25 after 6 weeks it was working pretty good but the sleep and startle response thing (real jumpy with loud noises) were still a bit of a problem but the 50 ml really did the trick! Not sure if I need to go up to 75 or not.

@silverotter11

@silverotter11 Yes, lemon balm is invasive. I fight it every year. Good info.

This is what happen with alcohol. It puts one to sleep but when it wears off, Bam - wide awake. I found if I take a Tylenol or Ibuprofen just before bed it counters the affect of the alcohol wearing off.

@JackPedigo It seems there's always a trade-off to things that may work in a pinch. I gave up drinking for about four years and only do it rarely now. Although it's sometimes a last-ditch try when it hits the middle of the night with no relief in sight.

@JackPedigo that’s true .

@Lauren, @Pralina1 It seems this has become a major issue during the pandemic. That first winter was hell for me.

It definitely sounds like it's doing damage. Can you say no to the long hours ever?

@Lorajay Not right now Lora . The break lasted less than 2 months , we are back to a shitstorm , not right now

That's what the talk hopes to address. I recently went through a strange experience in that I was sure I wasn't sleeping. But the night seemed much shorter than when I really was awake all night. Then I realized there were odd memories of a short dream now and then. I must have been on the edge of sleep and going back and forth during the night. Then realized there was some sleep and this actually gave me some relief. I do like the idea of lowering the lights for a period before bed. Aside from a clock radio there are no electronic devices in the room which is dark and cool.

I hope that changes this year.

I have found a couple of nights of poor sleep can create a vicious cycle. I once tried meditations beg=fore bed but it only made things worse.