Night Shift

Congratulataions from me too @Former-Member. A job offer is certainly something positive to work towards.

Good morning @Mazarita just thought I'd check in and see what happened here overnight and see that you are on. Hope you've been sleeping ok. I've had a really slow start today too.

Hi @eth, good to see you. Just got myself started on the daily plan. Stage one completed and I now see you are online too. Sleep here has been arriving by about 2am-2.30am, sometimes earlier. Waking up at variable times from first light (with or without much sleep) to after 10am. How's it been for you?

I've only been getting several short naps each night - anywhere from just 3/4 hr to 2 1/2 hr, but 5 or so times if I don't stay up in between and get stimulated. I'm being very cautious about getting hyper again in the build up to travelling - it has been a trigger for me at times in the past.

I've never had sleep so fragmented as that but you sound like you are taking it in a calm and careful way, which seems wise. How long is it before your trip?

2 1/2 weeks to go and I'm pretty organised but there are lots of unknowns with being in a foreign country where the culture is so different, and even some anxiety about by brother and his ability to be patient with me. I know it's only for a week and am doing my best to give logical responses CBT style when I find myself doing the "what if?" thinking. Even large airports are a challenge for me. I keep saying "it's all part of the adventure" and "he will be with me" (my brother).

That's great with giving yourself rational responses tp the anxious questions, when possible. I really like those other three as well: it's only for a week, it's an adventure, your brother will be there.

That's hard with the sleep, hope it gets better for you. At my worst I was cycling 3-4 hours awake, 3-4 hours asleep (all day and night). That was a weird time.

One of my Drs said 3 hour blocks at least give you a proper sleep cycle including REM time so it sounds like you get 1 or 2 of them. I hope you achieve your daily plan today. I have to go to the Dr in about 15 min and then do some shopping. That's all I have planned today.

That was a while ago when that was happening with the 3 hour blocks. It was any time of the day or night too so I lost track of time and date etc. But, yeah, my sleep patterns have been irregular for a long time. Where I am now is the best I've been in years. At least I'm mostly awake from morning to night. I'm pretty happy I've got this far really. Makes me hopeful of some more improvement over time.

Cool that you have some outings with the doctor and the shopping. Only outing likely here today is a beach walk later, hopefully. Next item on the daily list is exercise bike, stretching routine and five minutes of mindfulness breathing in a quiet place. Partner is home from work at the moment so I'll probably go into my bedroom (we have separate rooms, works better for us).

A walk on the beach sounds much nicer than the shopping centre!! I have to go now but will probably catch up with you later on here. Enjoy your day 🙂