Losing Sleep and Counting Sheep…

Until recently, I’ve never had a problem with going to sleep and staying asleep. I’ve grown accustomed to and am rather fond of getting a solid 8 hours a night. Sure, I’ve had the odd night of restlessness now and then, but nothing like I’ve been experiencing recently.

I go to bed exhausted, barely able to hold an after-dinner conversation, but then find myself tossing, turning and fidgeting. I’m sensitive to every sound in my vicinity – including the barking dogs down the road, which until recently I didn’t know existed.

Once I’m finally able to fall asleep, I typically sleep soundly for what I think is a few hours, although I’m not exactly sure on time, because I refuse to look at the clock.

Once awake, the cycle starts over again – tossing, turning, fidgeting, and contemplating the demise of the barking dogs down the road.

I’ve tried counting sheep, but have realized that I have attention deficit disorder - I can’t for the life of me make it past 4 and then I have to start over. I’ve tried to pretend I’m lying of a beach in the sun, listening to the waves roll in. I’ve tried to recite Shakespeare - Hamlet’s speech “To be or not to be”. Don’t judge – I had to learn it for theatre arts class and it has stuck with me ever since. Regardless of what I’ve tried, I’ve failed. Eventually sleep does come – typically 10 minutes before the alarm goes off.

I’ve no doubt been subconsciously been thinking about “things”, but it’s unusual for me. I’m not a worrier. I’m usually able to leave those “things” behind when I head to bed. I can’t put my finger on the root of the problem and it’s frustrating me…

I don’t even like sheep….I think I’m allergic – in addition to having A-D-D.