tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10152513.post5091210009341993923..comments2023-06-18T04:51:29.493-06:00Comments on Katie's Words: An experimentKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981415125894714419noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10152513.post-20365686764339188402009-11-11T16:58:42.861-07:002009-11-11T16:58:42.861-07:00In high school, I was SO busy with work, music, cl...In high school, I was SO busy with work, music, clubs, and school work, that I was always up past midnight trying to get it all done, and then up at 5:45 am. <br /><br />In college, I didn't have to work and had PLENTY of time to get everything done. So what did I do? I chatted with guys on the internet until 10:30 at night and then started my homework. Smaaaart. <br /><br />When I got married, it was the first time I got enough sleep because I didn't need to chat on the internet any more! Pregnancy and kids affected that of course, but I generally got enough sleep. <br /><br />Then, 3 years ago, TheEx started his long haul trucking job, and my sleep habits went crazy. When he was gone, I was up until all hours of the night, wasting time, trying to find human interaction, I guess. When he was back, I would go to bed early. Now that he's gone for real, that need for human interaction is much stronger. I keep trying to find it on the internet, but even though I deeply value my internet friends, it's different than actually being in the same room with a living, breathing human. <br /><br />I now average 5-6 hours of sleep per night and it is NOT sufficient by a long shot!Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16981415125894714419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10152513.post-2106373881193493802009-11-11T16:37:22.281-07:002009-11-11T16:37:22.281-07:00I've been having the same problem - staying up...I've been having the same problem - staying up way too late and then suffering for it the next day, always trying to catch up with that sleep deficit and developing bad habits during the day to compensate. Jeremy has been having a hard time with it, too. <br /><br />So we instituted a "lights-out" moratorium on staying up late (which I'm planning to post about soon). We don't watch movies during the week anymore after the kids go to sleep. After we put the kids in bed (by 7), we turn out all the lights, turn off the computer, light some candles, and do things like handwork or reading. The environment is so relaxing that we always end up going to sleep early. We're getting more time together and a LOT more sleep and feeling much more peaceful and energetic during the day. <br /><br />If we're tired during the day, I think it means we're not getting enough sleep or something else is going on that needs to be addressed, rather than relying on quick fixes like caffeine or sugar (which are problems for me, too).Chandellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02469510353021344718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10152513.post-59595380840854970312009-11-11T16:22:28.097-07:002009-11-11T16:22:28.097-07:00I will post the experiment results later, but I...I will post the experiment results later, but I'll give this much away -- this was a one-time thing! Never again!! Blech!!!!<br /><br />I am totally going to bed at 8:30 tonight. I am going to go home, heat some leftovers for dinner, turn off all the lights, have the kids pick out books to read in bed, and take them to bed with me early! This staying up until 2:30 am is absolutely stupid and ridiculous and has to stop!Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16981415125894714419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10152513.post-47257490375563636592009-11-11T16:08:55.379-07:002009-11-11T16:08:55.379-07:00I've never been addicted to soda but I've ...I've never been addicted to soda but I've gone the rounds with coffee. It's really hard to break the habit. I'm doing okay with it as long as I stick with my one cup a few times a week, but as I've written before, I was drinking quarts of the stuff in college.<br /><br />If you're not getting enough sleep and then compensating with sugar and caffeine, you'll be jumping on a hamster wheel that is seriously, so hard to quit. Some things are okay in moderation, but I believe that soda fits in the category of "poison in moderation is still poisonous." Soda is so tremendously taxing on every organ system of the body, with or without caffeine. <br /><br />If you really need a little pick-me-up, you might try yerba mate. It contains caffeine, but also lots of antioxidants and "feel-good" phytochemicals that can calm you down while keeping you energetic but not jittery. I love it in the afternoons if I feel like I need a nap. <br /><br />Honestly, if it's a choice between the two, coffee would be a better choice than soda. Coffee in restricted moderation, without a huge load of sugar or artificial cream ingredients, is leaps & bounds better than soda, whether it has HFCS, artificial sweeteners, or even real sugar. <br /><br />I grew up with soda as an occasional treat - I did know people who drank huge containers of soda every day, but that wasn't me, thank goodness. My dad had a real problem with kidney stones when I was a kid, certainly attributable to his Pepsi habit, so that made me aware of the problems of soda before I had any other health awareness. I did enjoy it occasionally, but now I can't touch it. Sometimes I'd get a Dr Pepper at a movie theater, but it became so intensely sweet to me and also made my stomach hurt - plus I'd actually feel hung-over the next morning! It never ceases to amaze me how our tastes can change. I still like micro-brew "real" root beer, though.Chandellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02469510353021344718noreply@blogger.com