Each morning, as I wake up, I mutter and grumble about not having had enough sleep. On the days I go the radio station it’s about 4.15 am when I ooze out of bed. The other four days I luxuriate in extended bed time until about 5 a.m. But the truth of the matter is that I just don’t get the 7 hours that I’d like to have. Sure. Some days I can grab a power nap of 20 to 30 minutes, but most times I motor, oops, make that cough and sputter, through the entire day.
I’m certainly not alone in this complaint, and like most of those afflicted with this “awakeness” it’s something that I’ve had for most of my adult life. I usually blame my dear old dad (may he rest in peace, and be enjoying great sleep-ins) for rousting me each morning, early, with the his cheery “come on lad, we’ve got a lot to do today.” It’s not all his fault. All through my working career in marketing communications I never really turned off the problems or challenges that we were working on. Frequently I’d have middle of the night notions that precluded any further sleep. With the merry mix of of work/play that I have today the same holds true.
In the interest of getting that extra hour of sleep I’ve tried relaxing pills, sleep aids, a glass of red wine at bedtime and of course, the old chestnut, changing the pillow. Forget it. They are all useless.
I’ve decided to change my attitude. I found the real benefit to be derived from the “bad night” syndrome.
Mike Jaycock 