Night Moves

Night Moves
Bob Seger

What you shouldn't do if you wake up in the middle of the night and can't seem to get back to sleep:

1. NEVER look at the clock.  If it's dark and there are no birds singing then it's too early to get up.  Well for most people.    Morning radio hosts may beg to differ.
2.  Don't look at your phone or tablet to check e-mails.    First off the light itself will throw your brain into wake up mode and it will take even longer to shut it down to allow you to get back to sleep which is likely what you want; to sleep that is.   Second, who the heck is e-mailing you in the middle of the night?  If it's a time zone issue then if you respond they will read your note while thinking why the heck are you responding to my e-mail in the middle of the night?   No one is expecting a response nor feeling extra special because they think you got up in the middle of the night to respond.  More than likely they are thinking you are crazy for even reading the note at that hour.
3.  Don't consider killing the time doing all those things on your to do list.  Like - what a great time to work on my finances or sort out my sock drawer.  Try again.  Maybe a great time to count those socks as you lie there visualizing them leaping over fences - you know - counting sheep.

Do:

1. If you aren't already wearing them.  Put on a pair of socks.   Proven - by me- that if I wear socks to bed, I sleep soundly.  It works.  I dare you to try it.   But don't sort your sock drawer while you are picking them out.
2. Stay in bed.  Except to get your socks.   Even if you don't fall asleep you are getting rest and maybe a bit of nap if you nod off a bit.   But don't get up and get your body and brain thinking that it's morning.   The two of them can work together into making you feel like it's ok and you don't need any more shut-eye but the big crash will hit you most likely at that time when you would normally just be getting up.    Then it will be come altogether clear that they were leading you on....but you put them up to it in the first place.
3. Drink water.   Not gallons because then you'll be up again to get rid of it.  Just enough to justify in your mind why you woke up which will keep you thinking of all the other things that might be the cause of that.  .
4. Breathe deep and long.    If you do it right you could just pass out....not the best approach but might get where you want to be.   You are already lying down so what's the problem?
5. Let go of the thoughts that keeping you up.  Visualize them floating away.   I kind of sort of just made this one up.   But sounds pretty good to me.   Or quickly write it down so it's not in your head anymore but on a piece of paper on your bedside.    You can write in the dark you know.  Remember, it's not about being able to read it in the morning but rather getting it out of your brain.

In case you hadn't mentally logged it, that means you need to keep beside your bed: socks, water, paper and pencil.   No cell phone or computer unless you have mastered the art of ignoring them.   

Good luck and sleep tight - no talk of bedbugs.  How did anyone ever get to sleep with that as their nightly send off?!