Monday, April 03, 2006

Lack Of Sleep

Today was one of my best days in weeks, if not months. I could concentrate, I got a lot of work done, I was stable, and felt great.

I didn't sleep more than an hour last night, if at all.

For me, this is a big deal. My life has to be somewhat structured, and sleep is part of that. If I'm not in bed by midnight, I start getting nervous. The alarm goes off at 6:15 in the morning. Last night I couldn't sleep. I just laid there and let my active mind go nuts. This morning I felt great, no morning Lamictal headache, no morning fog. I got more done at work than I have for a long time.

In the past I've gone expended periods of time with little sleep. Several weeks on end getting 2 to 4 hours a night. After a couple of weeks I'd get mild hallucinations. It was like seeing ghosts. Plus I lost my creative edge. I could maintain, do day to day chores and activities, but creativity took the biggest hit.

But maybe we're only talking an advantage one or two nights a week. Perhaps only during a certain mood phase. Over the course of the next couple of weeks I'm going to explore this. Can you imagine how much more productive a person could be if they could get by on a few hours of sleep a night?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

The same thing happens to me, I have a few days where I get a small amount of sleep and feel great.

But. I ALWAYS crash...

Hope the same doesn't happen to you.

Anonymous said...

Not me, anymore. I feel like crap if I don't get at least 7. I try for ten. Really.

Jon said...

Hey all, thanks for the comments.

Tea - the crash is what I'm worried about.

Sharla - if I get more than 6 I'm wiped out. And 8 or more my body hurts from inactivity.

Queen - I AM going manic. But I cycle so rapidly, and lately haven't been hitting a high level, so that doesn't worry me.

jane said...

I hope your sleep balances out. It sounds like you're taking full advantage of your moods though & I don't think that's a bad thing at all.