Tuesday, May 18, 2010

To sleep or not to sleep...

That is the question.

As many of you are aware, I work from home. And so my sleep schedule often gets mixed up.
Like now, it's just past six a.m., but I can barely keep my eyes open, I just want to go to bed. But if I do, I'll wake up in a few hours, then be up all night, and then I'll have to sleep tomorrow in the day, which will be very inconvenient because I have several deliveries coming tomorrow.
So, any tips on staying awake until bed time? I've doubt coffee will solve it, since I've been a coffee drinker since pre-pubescence.

11 comments:

Philocalist said...

Can REALLY empathise with you here, as I'm in precisely the same boat.
You're correct, coffee is a poor solution, and I've only ever found one brand of 'energy' drink that actually wakes me up (which it DOES, big-time :-) )
The only way I've ever found to sort this out was / is an enforced sleep regime ... I've usually got myself so tired over a period of time that I make a real effort to stay awake until late evening, regardless of how tired I am. Hit the sack at that stage for 9 or 10 hours, and I'm bouncing about when I wake up, and life continues like that as long as I then continue to get to bed at sensible times and sleep reasonably.
Unfortunately, like you I have a life that is not quite that straight forward, so although this works in practice, I'm often up into the small hours again regularly within just a few days.

Mind, in summer it's great. Still awake at 4am and no desire to sleep? I go fishing :-) Unbelievably therapeutic, especially at that time of day with the world fresh and new, quiet and to myself ... and curiously enough, I rarely feel tired afterwards, even missing a full nights sleep!

Russ said...

Play music on the stereo at high volume. Sing along to all the songs. "Best of" compilations work very well in these situations.

Mike said...

ProPlus is a famous (in the UK) 'student aid' to staying awake in order to be able to cram for exams. Mix it with a couple of cans of Red Bull & you won't sleep for a day or two. One word of caution - once the effects wear off then you 'crash'.

Anonymous said...

You could try some crystal meth.

TC [Girl] said...

I have heard Ginseng tea (or other form of Ginseng) works well. A local health food store would have it. (been meaning to try it, myself!)

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

Ginseng, for sleeping or for not-sleeping?

TC [Girl] said...

Sorry...not very clear, was I? For ENERGY. :-)

dave nielsen said...

Speaking of Crystal Meth, anyone here seen the show Breaking Bad? Not having ever been a drug dealer I can't say how realistic it is (no more than a fan of the Sopranos can comment on its accuracy if they're not in the mob) but it seems pretty good. Plus there are about three seasons of it you can just burn through.

For staying away, I wonder about Ephedrine. I don't have a U.S. link as it's not legal here. I don't know whether it's legal in England or not.

Philocalist said...

Ephedrine is not available over-the-counter in the UK. You can buy products that contain 'psuedo' ephidrine (typically decongestants) that have a similar effect ... partly because they are boosted with caffeine!
The nearest thing you will get in the UK to legal 'speed' etc are slimming pills, from a dedicated 'slimming clinic' ... they are issued on prescription (hence legal to possess) following an 'assessment' of whether or not you actually 'need' them. Naturally, EVERYONE who goes to the clinics is found to need them .....
The first flag should go up when you realise that any normal high-street pharmacy will not fill the prescription ... it will only be done at the 'clinic' pharmacy, where they charge a quite substantial price for the pills, which ARE amphetamine-based and ARE addictive ... although you DO lose weight if they are used, but at what price?

Incidentally, Eo ... if it's an issue of wanting to feel awake, rather than sorting out sleep issue, try a drink that will be available to you locally.
It's sold in ASDA, and is their own-brand enery drink called ' Blue Charge'. From a taste viewpoint I recommend the 'diet' version of the standard flavour (which is generic fruity and not too sweet)rather tha the full sugar version which is VERY sweet. They also do a cranberry flavour too, though I'm not too keen on it. Drink it COLD, straight out of the fridge :-)

A warning though ... it WILL wake you up and keep you alert ... for hours at a time!
I'm very intolerant to caffeine, but this works spectacularly well for me without upsetting my stomach etc ... it also mixes very nicely with vodka and plenty of ice:-)
Only down-side is that it's VERY pricey ..... I think it's about 99p for a litre bottle, or 2 for £1.50! :-)

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

Ouch!

Well, you have to suffer for your work. :-)

Fanks.

Anonymous said...

I can't figure why it's legal again in Canada. It used to be illegal there as well, but then they changed it. Of course it's being bought "For the relief of nasal congestion due to colds or hayfever." You'd have a real hayfever problem if you need to buy the 24 pack. :)