I just wanted my boyfriend to stop breathing.
And I mean that in the kindest way possible.
At 3 a.m., as I sat there wide awake in bed, I wished he could intake air just a little quieter.
I’m sure it’s the same feeling he has when I talk in my sleep — except maybe my latest bout. As an air traffic controller, he had to enjoy my middle-of-the-night conversation about my favorite airports … even if all he wanted to do was go to bed, right?
We’re terrible co-sleepers.
I toss and turn and sigh and mumble and whimper. He stays up way too late for my tastes, and wakes up to an empty bed when he snores too loud.
Even on our own, our sleep habits leave much to be desired. In the end, we’re tired — a lot. The cupboard under our bathroom sink holds a small pharmacy of over-the-counter sleep aids and melatonin — a testament to our constant struggle to catch some zzzs.
But we’re not alone. An estimated 47 million Americans identify as being sleep deprived.
My Facebook timeline is full of busy 20-somethings who are trying to balance full-time jobs and lives. Some of us have kids, school, a home and a host of extra curricular activities that we’re trying to cram into each week. Not a day goes by that someone isn’t wishing for a nap.
Today that point was driven home even more as already sleep deprived 20-somethings lament their lost hour of sleep this weekend.
And aside from coffee shops who probably attribute their success to our constant need for caffeine, no one benefits from a sleepy millennial.
A Penn State study found that the day after the switch the daylight saving time is marked by an increase in employees surfing entertainment-related sites during the workday, a term they coined “cyberloafing.”
Another study points out that poor sleep habits lead to an increase in appetite, which can ultimately lead to weight gain.
And other studies have found that poor sleep habits can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes and mood swings. That last one is most definitely true — I’ll be the first to admit that I can be pretty grumpy when I don’t get eight hours of beauty rest.
Experts say adults should get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Seems like a simple task to carve that out of our schedules each night, right?
Here’s a little inspiration tailored to all the March Madness fans out there, courtesy of a KBZK news report:
The Stanford University basketball team helped researchers PROVE that adding sleep adds points. Players who got by on less than seven hours a night were told to sleep for 10.
Results: A 9-percent increase in both free throw accuracy and making three-point baskets.
And, as I guzzle coffee this morning to stay awake, I’ve decided that maybe this lack of sleep thing is why I’ve never been an athlete …
Fellow 20-somethings, are you always tired? How do you make sure you get enough sleep each night? Do you still nap when you can? Do you try to catch up on sleep over the weekend? Do you drink coffee and energy drinks to cope when you’re tired at work? Do you have any tips for snoozing with an less-than-compatible sleeping partner? Leave a note in the comments section below.
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In favor of naps & an early bedtime
I love the Huffington Post article! I can totally relate to a lot of the scenarios: Snorer (him), blanket hog (both) and night owl (me). The horrible thing is, I usually can’t nap unless in a car. It is rare, unless I am sick or just THAT sleep deprived, that I nap. When I work at the farm in the summer, I have to get up at 7:30 a.m., after coming home around 2 a.m. from my normal job. Those days, I usually have at least two cups of caffeinated tea and a bottle of caffeinated soda. I think it’s time to enjoy coffee again.