Nodding Off And Falling Asleep

Can’t Stay Awake

I can’t stay awake in the afternoons and early evenings lately. But neither can I sleep sitting in chairs. I have almost never taken naps. If I could remember the last daytime nap I took, it was probably because I was ill or doped up by some short-term prescription medication. I was hiding from a toothache, upset stomach, something. That was then. Now I start to nod off while I’m on the Internet or reading a book or watching TV. The nodding, however, is momentary or a few seconds at best. It reminds me of high school teachers or of pest control lecturers at seminars I used to attend, the hypnotic tone of the speaker lulling one into a trannnce... Oop!!!

Once I jerk awake, it starts all over. Sometimes I shake my head dramatically and repeatedly, like some overacting TV or movie character trying to refresh himself, but the only thing that refreshes is to get up and go somewhere else, do something else. Is the sedentary part of my life coming to an end or about to take over entirely? I can’t type at the computer from a standing position—maybe you can, but I can’t—but I guess I could watch TV while standing. Like Mr. Ed, the spoiled talking horse.

This isn’t new. I have not yet begun to actually tip on over and fall to the floor, though. I’m seldom sitting in the kind of chair with arms or that otherwise “catches” you if you slump into sleep, so I’m not kidding about that. Soon I may have to go ahead, lie down in bed, and take those naps. But I’m convinced it would be bad for me and I would then not be able to sleep during the night.

Can’t Fall Asleep

I already have aches and pains that keep me awake at night if I’m not careful. I need sleep to come quickly, deeply, and completely. I avoid turning over as much as possible so that the exertion does not wake me up too much. It’s not as if I’m going to be able to sleep more than about six hours, anyway—I don’t need any more complications!

Nodding off during the daytime isn’t helping anything. I just hate it. Maybe the first time I slump on down and hit the floor, some inspired solution will occur to me.

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