Do you Lose Snooze?

[Ottawa]

This is a pretty crappy poll because there are so many factors at play.  Mainly, I was interested in getting people thinking about how the 'consumerism driven rat race' may be responsible for the decline in sleep quality for a large proportion (60%?) of people.  I've included some options in the poll to reflect things that you may not even be aware of - that might cause sleep disturbance.  Perhaps by exploring some of these things you may realize that a poor quality sleep trigger can be mitigated! 

Feel free to ask for some other options...I'm sure I haven't even covered all the major ones.

Here is the article that got me wondering a bit more about this topic: http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/05/14/sleep-is-not-an-indulgence-its-arrogant-to-think-you-dont-need-adequate-rest-scientists-say/

Also, lots of information at: http://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-polls regarding the findings of polling under a wide variety of circumstances.  The website in general has lots of other relevant information. 

[EMP]

I have a baby and sleep apnea that is not severe enough to warrant CPAP accoring to my insurance. 

I've almost fallen asleep while riding my bike, so I beg to differ.

I have never tried to be one of these people that brags about running on no sleep.  It makes me completely unbearable.

[Russ]

"I get enough good quality sleep at night, perhaps because of alcohol consumption"

am I doing it right?

[EMP]

"I get enough good quality sleep at night, perhaps due to alcohol consumption"

am I doing it right?

Most people that resort to alcohol consumption to go to sleep actually have an underlying sleep disorder that the alcohol ends up exacerbating. Ditto Tylenol PM.

[dragoncar]

I attribute not getting enough sleep to the "job stress" of having to wake up and actually go to work in the morning.

[Cromacster]

I attribute not getting enough sleep to the "job stress" of having to wake up and actually go to work in the morning.

One interesting thing I have noticed about my patterns is that on a normal non-work night I will usually go to bed earlier than I do on a work night.

This probably has something to do with not feeling stressed or anxious about finishing just one more thing before going to bed.

[shotgunwilly]

I could pass out on a cold rock in a rainstorm.

[smalllife]

I attribute not getting enough sleep to the "job stress" of having to wake up and actually go to work in the morning.

One interesting thing I have noticed about my patterns is that on a normal non-work night I will usually go to bed earlier than I do on a work night.

This probably has something to do with not feeling stressed or anxious about finishing just one more thing before going to bed.

+1, although I think mine has to do more with needing some decompression time after work and then trying to actually live life after that's done.

[Cassie]

Since I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and have a CPAP machine I get enough good quality sleep at night.  Also since I am semi-retired most days I do not need to set an alarm so can let my body live by it's natural rhythm.

[Cassie]

Also forgot to mention that if your insurance will not pay for CPAP machine you can get a decent one online for about $500.00.

[dude]

6 1/2 to 7 hours/night generally on weeknights, plus minimum half hour nap daily after work.

[rosaz]

Just when I thought I finally had this sleep thing under control, my body decides to switch it up on me. Now I wake up at 6:30 every damn weekday without an alarm, regardless of whether that's when I actually need to get up. No more ability to stay up 45 minutes later because I don't actually need to get moving til 7:15 (and losing that nighttime hours is sad for me, because I'm a repressed night owl). At least my brain lets me sleep an extra hour or two on the weekends but, naturally, those are the only two days kiddo wants to get up early.

If only work allowed those midday naps I used to hate in kindergarten. Youth truly is wasted on the young.

[EMP]

Also forgot to mention that if your insurance will not pay for CPAP machine you can get a decent one online for about $500.00.

I'm currently borrowing one.  What I really need want (?) is the titration study to figure out what pressure I need.  That's in the neighborhood of a couple grand.  Right now I can't tell if it's just getting used to to mask, if the pressure is too high, too low, if I just can't wear it because the baby's disruptive, etc. 

[MsSindy]

Oh man, I can sleep standing up! 

My DH and I are both fortunate that we fall to sleep quickly and stay asleep - generally get about 7 hours each night, 1 or 2 more on the weekends.  But, we don't do electronics at night (people I work with actually take their phone in the bedroom - nuts!), no kids, dog sleeps in the garage, both in good health, live in the quiet country.  Oh, and it helps that we really don't stress over our jobs, we don't like them much, but we don't stress over them knowing we only have a couple of years.

[nordlead]

I go to bed at 10PM (sometimes closer to 11) and wake up at 6AM pretty much every morning. Most nights I sleep well. If all my kids wake up screaming and crying, or I get really sick I'll get a bad nights sleep, but that is the exception not the rule.

[ArbitraryGuy]

I've made two rules for myself at night.  First, no eating after 7:00 pm (due to acid reflux).  Second, no staring at glowing screens after 8:00 pm.  Since implementing these rules for myself, I'm in bed reading by 9:00 pm and usually long gone by 10:00 pm.  I get up around 6:00 am.

There's something my grandfather used to say to me that I've since come to advocate: "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy and wealthy and wise."  I think he got it from Ben Franklin?

[rocksinmyhead]

I attribute not getting enough sleep to the "job stress" of having to wake up and actually go to work in the morning.

yeah, me too. and/or not getting home til 6:15 so by the time I exercise, cook dinner, and complete any other tasks it's usually later than I would like.

I am lucky in that I usually fall asleep in <15 minutes (often <10) and sleep like a rock. I grew up next to train tracks so I can tune out train and highway noise pretty well. sometimes I wake up once because I have to pee but that's about it. however, I know that I feel best with 8-9 hours of sleep and I usually only get 6-7 on weeknights. sometimes I can catch up on the weekends.

Just when I thought I finally had this sleep thing under control, my body decides to switch it up on me. Now I wake up at 6:30 every damn weekday without an alarm, regardless of whether that's when I actually need to get up. No more ability to stay up 45 minutes later because I don't actually need to get moving til 7:15 (and losing that nighttime hours is sad for me, because I'm a repressed night owl). At least my brain lets me sleep an extra hour or two on the weekends but, naturally, those are the only two days kiddo wants to get up early.

If only work allowed those midday naps I used to hate in kindergarten. Youth truly is wasted on the young.

right?!? god I would be so much better at life if I could take a 30-minute nap every day at 2PM.

[GuitarStv]

I get about eight hours each night.  Often the dog wakes me up in the middle of the night to go out, but this takes about three minutes and usually I'm able to fall right back to sleep.  Cutting the hours of sleep down has a significant effect on my mood, ability to think properly, and I feel it when biking/weightlifting.  It also tends to make me get sick with colds.

Because of that I have a bedtime routine.  No TV, or any kind of glowing device within an hour of bed time.  Usually I'll read or play some scales on my guitar in pretty low light the half an hour immediately before bed time.  Temperature is also pretty important, as I can't sleep if it's too warm . . . so I'll often have a cool shower shortly before bed.  Heavy exercise takes my body 2+ hours to calm down from, so I like to get my exercise done earlier in the evening.  I also try to go to bed at roughly the same time and get up at roughly the same time each day.  Typically I'll wake up a couple minutes before the alarm goes in the morning.

[Freedom2016]

I said that I do get adequate sleep. If I don't, it's usually my own damn fault. Hubby and I are night owls - we can easily stay up til 12 or 1am) which doesn't mix well with a toddler who's consistently up at 7.

I get the occasional bout of insomnia but it's usually jetlag-related (I travel a fair bit for work, and often have 3+ hour time zone differences to navigate).

[Vorpal]

I attribute not getting enough sleep to the "job stress" of having to wake up and actually go to work in the morning.

One interesting thing I have noticed about my patterns is that on a normal non-work night I will usually go to bed earlier than I do on a work night.

This probably has something to do with not feeling stressed or anxious about finishing just one more thing before going to bed.

Exactly... I stay up latest on work nights because I'm cramming in as much "me time" as possible before having to go to work again. I guess I'm hanging out in the right forum :)

[golden1]

I generally get okay sleep - I sleep about 7-8 hours on weekdays and a bit more on weekends.  I do go through stretches of insomnia once in awhile, usually from generalized anxiety - not just work but other stuff.

[soccerluvof4]

For me I wake up the same time it seems no matter what time I go to bed so as long as I stay in a routine i get plenty of sleep and like to top it off with a 20 minute nap here and there during the course of the week.  Once I am awake thats usually it. Better off just getting up and going than trying to fall back asleep. All about routine for me.

[Thegoblinchief]

2 kids that insist on sleeping with us in a queen size bed. It's awfully cozy.

[cbgg]

My lack of sleep is 100% attributable to my poor choices.  I have absolutely no excuse (medical, children, etc).  When I do not get enough sleep (which is frequent) it is because:
 - I have not had enough exercise
 - I have stayed up too late watching tv or similar
 - I did not organize my day effectively and therefore at dinner too late or similar
 - I am experiencing stress that I could manage better through yoga/medition/exercise/pro-actively handling the situation/similar

Of course I have the occasional situation of sleep disturbance caused by something outside of my control, but that's a very minor factor.  Sleep habits are something that I struggle with and am striving to control.  Luckily I always seem to improve in the summer, so that's good.

[Nickyd£g]

I've definitely found I can sleep better/longer if I don't drink alcohol - which I usually do (a glass or two of wine with dinner), so am cutting it out.  I am disturbed by neighbours very occasionally but the main issue is light.  During the summer it gets light here around 3.30am, and doesn't get dark til 9.30pm/10pm and even though I wear a blindfold I still wake up because of it.  I think I need blackout blinds. 

Interestingly, I volunteered in Kenya for a few months a few years ago and had no problems getting to or staying asleep - I consumed no alcohol and it was pitch black at night as there was absolutely no light pollution.

[grantmeaname]

2 kids that insist on sleeping with us in a queen size bed. It's awfully cozy.

Better than two goblins, right?

[Ottawa]

I've definitely found I can sleep better/longer if I don't drink alcohol - which I usually do (a glass or two of wine with dinner), so am cutting it out.  I am disturbed by neighbours very occasionally but the main issue is light.  During the summer it gets light here around 3.30am, and doesn't get dark til 9.30pm/10pm and even though I wear a blindfold I still wake up because of it.  I think I need blackout blinds. 

Interestingly, I volunteered in Kenya for a few months a few years ago and had no problems getting to or staying asleep - I consumed no alcohol and it was pitch black at night as there was absolutely no light pollution.

You raise a good point there - this is definitely a modern problem and no doubt affects the cyrcadium rhythum circadian rhythm. 
HERE is an experiment to try:
Reading Part 1: http://jdmoyer.com/2010/01/17/willpower-as-a-commodity-part-ii-counterintuitive-sleep-tips/
Reading Part 2: http://jdmoyer.com/2010/03/04/sleep-experiment-a-month-with-no-artificial-light/

[Ottawa]

2 kids that insist on sleeping with us in a queen size bed. It's awfully cozy.

Better than two goblins, right?

Aren't they similar?

[Ottawa]

"I get enough good quality sleep at night, perhaps because of alcohol consumption"

am I doing it right?

Imagine how witty you would be sans CH3CH2OH.

[Ottawa]

I attribute not getting enough sleep to the "job stress" of having to wake up and actually go to work in the morning.

I know the cure: FIRE :-)

[Ottawa]

Oh man, I can sleep standing up! 

My DH and I are both fortunate that we fall to sleep quickly and stay asleep - generally get about 7 hours each night, 1 or 2 more on the weekends.  But, we don't do electronics at night (people I work with actually take their phone in the bedroom - nuts!), no kids, dog sleeps in the garage, both in good health, live in the quiet country.  Oh, and it helps that we really don't stress over our jobs, we don't like them much, but we don't stress over them knowing we only have a couple of years.

BOLDED: Good work!!  I also like your take on job stress.  That is a good way to not get sucked into the 'my job is my life' mentality that enables a lot of stress factors.

[grantmeaname]

"I get enough good quality sleep at night, perhaps because of alcohol consumption"

am I doing it right?

Imagine how witty you would be sans CH3CH2OH.

I actually think I'm wittier with booze. And better at singing.

[aclarridge]

I attribute not getting enough sleep to the "job stress" of having to wake up and actually go to work in the morning.

+1. When I'm not working I sleep well.

[Cassie]

EMP: most insurance will pay for the sleep study.  Without one I don't even see how they can say that your sleep apnea is too mild to need a machine. I would check into this if you haven't. You do need to know how to set the pressure.  Sleep apnea untreated creates a lot of health problems and damages your organs.  I would really try to advocate for yourself with the insurance company. Good luck!

[EMP]

EMP: most insurance will pay for the sleep study.  Without one I don't even see how they can say that your sleep apnea is too mild to need a machine. I would check into this if you haven't. You do need to know how to set the pressure.  Sleep apnea untreated creates a lot of health problems and damages your organs.  I would really try to advocate for yourself with the insurance company. Good luck!

 they paid for the initial study that indicated I have an AHI of 4, but once they include RERA's that goes up to 13. And it's slightly worse in REM, but still under the magic AHI of 5. Insurance doesn't include the RERA's when determining if the titration study is warranted. It's annoying b/c if I wait 20 years for my health to deteriorate then my AHI index will go up and I should qualify. In the mean time I'm just trying with an illicit machine.

My mom is a sleep tech so I've got the inside scoop. :)

[MicroRN]

I work night shift, but because I have small kids I can't stay on a night shift schedule all the time, so I rotate through the week from nights to days.  Yeah, it's bad for you.  Very bad.  I'm just toughing it out until I have some seniority at work and a days job opens up.  I actually sleep ok during the day and love working nights, but on non-work nights I have trouble falling asleep before midnight, then the kids get me up around 6:30am.   

[Bookworm]

I have apnea. You would think I'd fall asleep easily at night due to exhaustion, and AM exhausted from the time I get up until I go to bed, but then my mind won't shut off, so it takes me forever to fall asleep.

I keep DH awake sometimes with my snoring, too.

[Sonorous Epithet]

I sleep well and I attribute it all to the fact that I am 30-60 minutes late for work every day. I am supposed to be in the office 8-5, with an hour off for lunch, but I usually get there 8:30-9:00, and leave at 5:00 most days but up to 7 or 8pm when I am in a groove.

I find this works because I am exempt salaried, my job is not time-sensitive hour-by-hour, the first hour of the day is dominated by interoffice small talk, coffee, and low-priority emails, and I never feel rushed to get to work. It gives me time to pace my morning, eat right, etc.

My managers at work are cool with this. I think it actually increases my productivity.

[GuitarStv]

"I get enough good quality sleep at night, perhaps because of alcohol consumption"

am I doing it right?

Imagine how witty you would be sans CH3CH2OH.

I actually think I'm wittier with booze. And better at singing.

I used to swear that my guitar playing improved after the third or fourth shot . . . Then I recorded a performance.  :P