10 things about me and sleep

10 things about me and sleep:

1. I get about 6 hours of sleep per night, regardless of how early I get to bed.
2. It takes me about 2 hours to fall asleep each night.
3. I have spent a lot of money on things to help me fall asleep and monitor the quality of my sleep including: a tempur-pedic pillow (it’s embarrassing how much that thing cost); a custom mattress (for my very tall husband); a memory foam mattress topper because the custom mattress was too firm for me and was actually pushing my arm out of my shoulder joint; a Lumie alarm clock (official alarm clock of the British National Swim Team) with sunset and sunrise functions to encourage appropriate melatonin levels; a fitbit to monitor the quality of my sleep (if my deep sleep is at 12% I feel successful); prescription medication; over the counter melatonin; yoga classes and web subscriptions; and therapy.
4. To help me fall asleep I have tried listening to ASMR podcasts, audio books, progressive muscle relaxation therapy, mindfulness meditation, ocean sounds, rain sounds, tv shows, spa music… Silence is far worse.
5. I am not a “nap” person. Unless I am in absolute dire need. It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just that most of the time I can’t nap.
6. I feel most awake between 9pm and 12:30am.
7. I look back and realise I was immensely sleep deprived the entirety of my high school and undergraduate years.
8. I will read until I get very sleepy, put the book down and immediately feel awake again.
9. I am listening to the book “Why We Sleep” by Mathew Walker and it is enlightening and depressing. I understand my sleep issues better and yet the structure of modern society means there is nothing I can do about them.
10. I have the best husband. He brings a cup of coffee to my bedside every morning.