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Friday, January 4, 2008

When You Can't Sleep




The past 2 nights have been a bit dreadful as far as sleeping goes. My thoughts are whirling around as I try to solve my problems and those problems belonging to others I know. (this is not a productive exercise) So, I try to redirect my crazy mind to things I enjoy and so I design cards or scrapbook pages in my head. My current favorite is a re-do of a Christmas card with baby Jesus on it.
So, my question for all of you is:
What things do you think about to cheer yourself up?

10 comments:

Sarah said...

Honestly? I try not to think. I pick up a mindless book or play a stupid game on the computer... thinking makes it worse for me! I'm glad you can do your cards and stuf though (that one is adorable, by the way.) It takes too much effort for me to get all of my paper, stamps, etc out so I don't do it when I'm tired.

ANTSYLLI said...

Well, my friend, I am with Sarah on this one. I try not to think about things. Usually I turn on the tv and watch a movie or find some stupid telemercial to watch---usually the cooking gadget ones or the get rich selling real estate are the most entertaining!
The man of steel leg says that he counts down the days until the next Daytona 500--by the way today it is 44 days! Oh, and he also made some comment about me not caring if he is sleeping or not when I turn on the tv at 3am--what is up with that?! I mean, he can take a nap while I am at work---and he usually does.

Leslie said...

Try reading the book of Numbers in the Old Testament next time, Maura. I'm pretty certain it was included for just such circumstances!! Personally, I have a talent for sleep. I swear, I must have something just short of narcolepsy. I can sleep anytime, anywhere, for any length. Too bad you can't win medals for that.

Papa D said...

So, Maura is Michelle and Leslie is Jeffrey. Interesting.

I turn on the TV - low volume - close my eyes and . . . end up watching TV too late.

Dory said...

I'm with Sarah and antsylli. If I start thinking and worrying too much I get sick to my stomach so I try to escape it as much as possible, at least when it is worrying thoughts.

Jen said...

I have a book (it's a political-type thing) that we joke is my sleep aid. Whenever I pick it up, I fall asleep in about 5-10 minutes. It's magical!

I also fall into the "take my mind off it" category. If I'm not trying to sleep, I like to lose myself in a good book, and then my mind can rest from whatever is worrying me.

Mama D said...

Well, Maura, you can always try caregiving overnight shifts. Then you have a good reason to be awake at night!

I think this gives you a great opportunity to create your cards without the interruptions of kids! Whatever works...

I think there are times when I've given myself ulcers worrying at night. It is tough to try to quiet your mind when it is on "full speed ahead" overdrive! I often read, watch TV, or blog. The best solution for me to get to sleep is to talk with Ray and unload my worries, and then get a great backrub from him!!

I hope the worries that keep you up at night are resolved, or the burdens lightened, soon.

Patty said...

The whole sit and veg in front of the tv or read a fun and "easy" book are what work for me too. Blogging helps. So does chocolate, but blogging is much less fattening!

Mama D said...

I was just visiting Sylli's blog and remembered her chocolate post, which reminded me that I was going to say something in my comment here that I forgot. (Because your question wasn't just about what helps others get to sleep, but what things help cheer us up.)

CHOCOLATE! Yup, that pretty much makes the world go 'round! I am jokingly thinking that my first resolution this year is to have at least one piece of chocolate a day -- you know, just to help me feel happy and good about life on a daily basis!

Adrienne said...

I might be a little too young for this crowd, and I'm not a proud parent, but sitting down to write in my journal always cheers me up AND makes me fall asleep if I can't. I had a roommate once suggest that if I put all my thoughts on paper, I wouldn't have to worry about them in my head for so long.

Once I tried making an extended list of my blessings. For a while it was so much fun that it kept me awake, but the truth is, it calms me down...and helps me realize that even though I can't figure out how I'm going to pay the electric bill, the sun is going to rise tomorrow.

That's my two cents...