Sleep

I wonder if it is possible to catch up on sleep. I have always heard that it is not. But then why do I feel like I do it so very often?

If I get 6 hours of sleep at night (and 8 is what I need), then I have a nap during the day to make up for the time lost. This works well for me.. I can actually stay awake throughout the entire day when I do this.

However, when I miss out on some sleep, and try to stay awake the entire day.. I am completely drained by evening-time. Especially if I keep busy during the day. If I go 2 or 3 days like this, without any naps, I can become numbingly sick and faint due to lack of sleep. Which is really pathetic, considering most people get little sleep. But if I feel this way, and I take a nap.. for, say, maybe a few hours, I can wake up feeling great. Isn't that what catching up on sleep is??

Just today.... I had gone a few days without catching up on sleep. I was doing some yoga (of all things) when I started feeling faint. I had to lay down immediately. After a few hours, I woke up.. and I feel fine now.

It's weird, because it's not like I'm taking about getting 2 or 3 hours of sleep at night. Just any amount less that what I need (which apparently is alot). Although... Even when I do get 2 or 3 hours of sleep, or if I pull an all-nighter, I can completely crash the next day.. getting really deep sleep (I am usually a light sleeper) and when I wake up, it's like nothing happened.

Part of the problem is my schedule. My 'bed-time' is some time between 10 and 2. I can't change this because my husband is a night owl, and I like to keep him company. I sometimes end up falling asleep on the couch until he is ready to go to bed. Then in the morning, I wake up to help him get off to work. My first alarm goes off either at 5:50 or 6:50 depending on the day. Like I said, I am a light sleeper, so I always wake up to these alarms (doesn't mean I'm ready to get up). Usually 2 hours later, once he is off to work, I will lay back down just to catch up on any sleep I had missed that night. I have no idea how my husband does it everyday; He is such a strong person. And nocturnal, did I mention?

Another part of the problem is our bed. We have a box spring mattress. It's not falling apart or anything, but the springs dig into me every night. I end up tossing and turning. Or I just lay there uncomfortably numb. I mean, I usually sleep through it, but I don't suspect it is the greatest sleep I am getting. Sometimes I think the couch is more comfortable (if only I could stretch out all the way on it... Ok, so it's a love-seat.)

I guess the only other problem it could be is, well... me. Somehow. I haven't quite figured that one out yet. I mean, I try to live a healthy lifestyle. I try to eat healthy. I avoid fast-food and sodas. I try to exercise at least a little bit. I mean, I know plenty of people with completely un-healthy lifestyles and they don't have this problem. I guess some people do just need more sleep... but seriously, this is just absolutely pathetic!

Crazy thing is, I am a morning person. I just love first thing in the morning. It's my favorite part of the day... if only I could be awake for it!