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Day 6 - Sleep and Depression

 I'm not sure if I have much of anything exciting to report.  I'm still on track.  

I ended up accidentally sleeping until 11:00.  I sort of think going back on Weight Watchers makes it more difficult to fall asleep.  I always read sleeping tips about not eating before you go to bed, but that absolutely does not work for me.  I wish it did!  My late-night eating is my biggest problem.  But every so many days, I end up sleeping a lot later than usual.  I may be getting to the point of setting an alarm, though I hate them so.  

Up until a month or two ago, my sleep schedule had been about 3 or 4 a.m. until past noon, many times until about 1:30 p.m.  I mean, during this quarantine, with nothing on the schedule, what was the point!  Or so I said.  Over the last 20 years, that has been sort of my sleep schedule.  I usually took that long to actually fall asleep, and with fibromyalgia (which needs tons of sleep for recovery), I had to sleep that late.  My recovery in that regard has progressed a lot since that time, and now, I usually slip back into that sleep schedule when I just start slacking.  About five weeks ago, I felt determined to get back on a reasonable schedule.  With our lifestyle, there is not a lot of need to get up early, but most of the social things I do are earlier in the day.  And if I want to have a good chance to make it to church, I have to be able to get up by around 8:30.  

Many days recently, I've been awake anywhere from 8:30-9:30 by a conscious effort.  If I make it tomorrow (to church), it will probably be with not nearly enough sleep, which I can do occasionally.  

In my journey to get back into life and find some real happiness, adjusting my sleep schedule is huge, and it takes constant vigilance.  If I am already up, it will make getting anywhere so much easier rather than dragging myself out of bed at the last minute.  

I haven't done a study on depression and insomnia, though I do know that insomnia is a major symptom of depression many times.  I think in my case the insomnia (actually going to sleep) has been physiological, and it has contributed to the depression.  And then, on top of that, the depression makes it much harder to get up because of a loss of desire.  So in my case it is a vicious cycle.  

After I did get up this morning, I checked the temperature, and it was still in the low 70s, plenty cool enough to walk; so I got out and took another walk.  I didn't go that far; I notice my FitBit shows 35 minutes of exercise, so that must  be how long I walked.  I was just pleased that I got out for a second day in a row.  

In reading quite a few blogs, I notice that many people use exercise to help with their depression.  I can attest to how all the endorphins really help with my mood, and it's another encouragement to increase my activity and fitness level in addition to helping to lose weight.

I ate "breakfast" at about 2:00 p.m., my usual oatmeal, a grilled chicken sandwich and grapes for lunch, and 2 oz. of German sausage, baked potato and peas for dinner.  Nighttime snacks: a few pretzel sticks, cottage cheese and pineapple, very thin pb sandwich.

Off to bed!






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