I have a good relationship with sleep. There is no bad blood between us. I love to sleep and stay asleep without any trouble, leading me to believe that sleep loves me too.
A perfect relationship, don’t you think?
But I am a light sleeper. Falling asleep is a delicate process. I need those few minutes to be distraction-free, soundless, and touchless — absolutely perfect to my sleep’s taste.
A slight sound can knock sleep away from my eyes.
A quiet touch can jerk me awake.
There have been times I woke up to the sound of my own snores. I am that kind of a light sleeper.
However, when my perfect sleep conditions are met I drift off so easily and quickly.
So, it is important that I fall asleep before my husband does. If I don’t, his snores — filling the room like a gentle but persistent drumbeat — will keep me awake long before my tired eyes find any rest.
Last night, unfortunately, my husband defeated me to the dreamland, and I found myself lying there, listening to his snores. Not very loud ones, mind you, but just enough to keep me on the edge of sleep.
Finally, I gave up and moved to the couch, hoping the change would help. But even then, it took me a while to settle in, adjusting to the new spot and trying to coax sleep back to me.
The sad part is, my eyes were tired. So was my brain. I was ready for dreamland by 9 pm, but at 50 minutes past 11, I was still checking the clock, hoping to drift off.
Ironically, all this tug-of-war with sleep happens only at night. In the afternoon, when I try to nap, the sounds from the TV and my kids act like a perfect lullaby. I can sleep through their noise like it’s a soothing melody designed just for me.
Needless to say, my sleeping patterns are weider than me. I’ve often wondered what it says about me — this dance I do with sleep. But at least, for now, I know that sleep and I are still on speaking terms… as long as my husband doesn’t get there first.
*Photo by Acharaporn Kamornboonyarush on Pexels.com
Void Thoughts 
Ah Vinitha, I hear you sister!
I have a hate-hate relationship with sleep. No matter how tired I am, it takes me forever to sleep. And I’m a light sleeper! A crazy light sleeper. My husband is a snorer too and that also worsens the situation. I’ve accepted that I need to function on bare minimum sleep now and I have gotten used to it. Not good for my health I know, but it is what it is.
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After battling with sleep for ages now, I just sleep whenever I can. And like you, while the slightest thing disturbs my sleep at night, my inummerable naps during the day are deep and restful.
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oh yes I am light sleeper too. And my sleep can also easily get disrupted by tea or coffee, if I drink later in the day. But due to congestion my breathing is so loud that I think it is my husband who suffers. 😅
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Try headphones – something soft, designed for sleep. (They make headbands with speakers built in that work with bluetooth on your phone.)
Melatonin can help, but I wouldn’t use it too regularly.
Get this: LIGHT can wake me. And I don’t just mean turning on the room light. I’ve finally come to think that my brain interprets light as noise. I have wooden blinds in my room, but they are not as good as blackout curtains. The house next door is close to us and the neighbor going to the bathroom in the middle of the night – despite my blinds and their lightweight window-shade and frosted glass – can wake me! So annoying! And don’t get me started on the motion-sensitive floodlight between our houses.
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My goodness Vinitha – that’s so me. I too sleep well most often except when my husband beats me to the bed. And his snores are legendary!!! I then gather up my sheet and pillow and go to the daughter’s room. Since my son left for college I now have a ready extra bed. And that’s a relief. Also, that thing about afternoon sleep – how on earth does it come so effortlessly?
PS: You’re not weird :-).
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Haha.. my mistake is reaching for the Kindle when I can’t sleep and then it’s always ‘Let me finish this chapter’…and on and on.
I used to sleep well, but not so great in the last 10 years or so – menopause and other life events took their toll. I’m slowly befriending sleep and an afternoon nap again.
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