Sleep has run into a few snags. Consecutive nights of deficit, difficult compensation the following day. These challenge my commitment to follow professional sleep hygiene recommendations to set the bed as off-limits for all but designated sleep hours.
My first glance at the clock registered as 12:15AM or so. Then periodic assessments of my watch most subsequent hours through the night. Seconds each time, though never arising from bed. Shifting my pillow a lot. Not changing position that much but redirecting my down cover, sometimes to enhance warmth, other times to increase exposure. The room had not achieved its customary darkness. Door to bedroom left open, with a dim light in the upper hall. Bathroom door left open, though with curtain obscuring ambient light in the backyard. I've been wearing a Casio 168 most nights. To make the numerals visible, I tap a button that makes the window transiently robin egg blue to highlight the black numbers. Each tap and reading takes seconds. This watch does not track sleep. I have a Tozo 3 that does, though not worn for a few months. While the accuracy of its sleep estimates falls well short of a sleep lab, a few nights with this on my wrist may enable some corrections. I do not know how much sleep I got from my usual lights-out time to arising, but the frequent clock checks suggest a deficit.
Despite some deprivation, I arose from bed at my usual time. I had scheduled a fasting lab draw for 8AM. Technically, coffee with no additives does not affect Fasting Glucose or Lipid results, but I stayed at my keyboard without my usual morning stimulant. I swallowed the morning pills dry. I knew the day would expose some impairment, but getting to the lab on time, maintaining good cheer while there, and driving attentively in each direction did not impose any difficulty. Often on fasting lab days, since I am coffee-deprived, I follow the venepuncture with a breakfast outing or a stop at a coffee shop. I did not bring any pen or paper with me, nor could I think optimally if I had, so I just went home. By then I felt tired, though light chores remained within my capacity. Deep Work, those challenging mental tasks which usually dominate my mornings, got postponed to later in the day, though not entirely eliminated. Instead, now feeling some energy impairment, though not a desire for sleep, I substituted a few easy items. Crosswords done with reasonable proficiency. Snafu from lab reported to my doctor to try to avoid a fasting redraw. Arranged an important phone call with my financial advisor. While I avoid Social Media on Wednesdays, r/judaism still seemed within my mental capacity to participate. I even wrote a thoughtful response to one of the posters.
Finally, a k-cup of coffee. Then I set a timer for 45 minutes. Glasses off, into my recliner at full recline. I never fell asleep, but felt my energy had been sufficiently uplifted at about 40 minutes. More easy tasks, or at least those not requiring mental prowess. I followed my MWF Stretching video. A little later, I completed my assigned physical therapy program to allow a medial meniscal injury its best chance to heal. By then that mug of coffee had provided a boost to alertness.
Late afternoon has arrived. I still don't feel sleepy. Getting back to fixed sleep times, which has been successful over a year or two, seems within reach. I'd still like to tackle one or two challenging cognitive tasks before the day ends. I probably can. Priority after supper. Not expecting my best work, but above threshold. Some reading, some evening chores. Address a few neglected initiatives.
While sleep deprivation feels uncomfortable and it detracts from performance, I have enough valuable activities that do not require maximum mental or physical attention. These today. Reset to the most challenging tomorrow.
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