Introduction
I grew up with the bad habit of sleeping really late and waking up early. My mother was really lenient with me and it did no good for me. I guess that contributed to my grumpiness as a kid.
This morning, waking up from sleep, I'd be telling you about my experience with sleep and my relationship with it. This is my participation in the Unity Towards Freedom Community - Prompt Contest by @anttn.
My experience with sleep has been a rollercoaster. There are days I have gone with little sleep and you can guess why. Depression. The symptoms of depression includes little or too much sleep.
I watched my colleague sleep at odd times during work hours recently and knew he was depressed. His mood swings also remind me of when I was suffering clinical depression. His fluctuating appetite too.
Sleep is also a language
Sleep is essential for the body. However, your body might be trying to tell you something if you're having too much or too little. I did not know what insomnia was until I did my research. I wanted to understand if something was wrong with me. My sleep pattern was different.
Turns out, insomnia could be a product of stress, depression or trauma. Most PTSD patients battle insomnia as they live their nightmares in their sleep.
I lived a nightmare once. Not something I am comfortable talking about but it was horrible. I dreaded sleep at a young age and I guess it grew on me to some extent.
Now, my relationship with sleep has improved but I do watch my colleague and I have tried to encourage him. He is depressed and that thing can be destructive.
Let us not forget that sleep is the go to for some men when they uhm...you see...when they can't uhm...when they 'get it up and' there's no one to 'take it down'. What am I doing? I mean when they get erect!
There. I said it.
I know it is not all men but some. My friends have that experience. They get... 'horny' but can't get rid of it someway, they go to sleep. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
As a lady, I know the one significant symptom of PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome) is sleep. I don't know if other women get it but I sleep like a pregnant woman. All day and all night.
When I was severely depressed, that was the only time I got enough sleep. My body defied all medical conditions and slept when it wanted. However, I paid for it dearly after 'Aunty Flow' has passed.
My Sleep Pattern
But sleep these days have been on the minimal. Did I forget to mention I suffered migraines, a minor split in personality and fatigue due to my lack of sleep?
Well, not anymore. Maybe it is because I have come to a point I truly love myself, but sleep has been easy. Maximum hours I sleep is 5.5hrs. And this may include a short nap at noon or not.
Even if I sleep at noon these days, I start feeling drowsy at about 12am and the minimum hours of a nap for me is 30mins. I can promise you that short naps help a bunch.
Some benefits of sleep...
- Clear thoughts
- Energy
- Great Health (Mentally, Physically & Emotionally)
amongst others.
I can't remember my dreams though. I hardly remember dreams that are not nightmares or some weird stuff. Like two nights ago, I woke up laughing at my dream. I was chilling with 'Donald the Duck' and 'Jerry the Mouse'. Mom said I was laughing in my sleep.
At least, I wasn't crying or yelling and waking up with a body drenched in sweat. Yeah. It has happened to me too.
Remedies that helps aid sleep...
I have some remedies that worked for me while I battled insomnia and weird sleep patterns. Some I read online and others I cultivated:
Drink warm milk before bed
Read a book (Doesn't matter which, just as long as it's a book. I'd advice you don't pick up your favorite though. You might not sleep after all)
Exercise: You can go for a stroll or hit the gym. You can go for a jog or a sprint. The body would always break down after a vigorous exercise. If you can, just have sex but this is not always advisable especially if the person is depressed. Depression with sex is...not so good for you emotionally and mentally.
Meditation: The brain sometimes just wants to be taken care of. I discovered that I sleep better when I slip into meditation and slip into slumber after that (or during). You can meditate on your day, your achievements, your goals or even your visions! Just lay down, take out the mind barrier and see where you want to be in the next year or five years.
Music: I mostly meditate with music. I do almost everything with music. Like now, 6:23am. I am constructing this post with Enya in my ears.
Someone close to you might be fighting for their life
So that is all from me. I have given you my experience with sleep. Please, if you notice any of the patterns mentioned above in your loved ones or random stranger ( these are sometimes the most visible as the rest are mental), don't hesitate to reach out or tell a guardian. It could escalate.
Two more things you should be on the look out for. Fluctuation in weight and any signs of self-harm. That razor cut was most likely self inflicted. The sudden change in mode of dressing. They now stick to jeans (or pants) and turtle necks. They don't want anyone in their room, or to see them undressed. They are most likely inflicting self-harm. Sometimes, abuse victims aren't the only ones with a defense mechanism (which is hurting themselves).
Humans who feel nothing would go the extra mile to feel something than the emptiness inside them (substance abuse, the other alternative). The pain reminds them they are not dead. So please, call your help line if you notice this or tell someone who you think can help them.
