A question.

[laartista]

Does anyone understand what it means to be tired, but not sleepy?  Sometimes my body is is so exhausted...but my mind is still moving at a mile a minute, so I can't sleep.  I tell Dave that I'm tired, but not sleepy, and he laughs and says, "Those are the same thing, dummy!"  But they're NOT.  Right?  Right?

Comments

[nitadhalink]

Well, they're not in the sense that you're talking about. My dad always said that in order to sleep well, one must have a "tired body and a clear conscience". I'm sure your conscience is clear, but for some reason, your brain won't let you sleep.

In common American usage, though, both "tired" and "sleepy" are used interchangeably to mean "ready to hit the hay", so Mr. Lauren is right as well. (But he has no right to call you dummy about it.)

When I have a racing mind, I read a good (but slightly dull) book or watch a Wim Wenders film (beautiful but slow) until I fall asleep. Most TV actually puts me into a stupor, that's why I sleep in front of the TV so much. (I actually have all kinds of insomnia issues.) I also have this stretch video that has this dreamy new-age music going on in the background, the combination is lethal. And there's this relaxation technique I learned in drama summer programs ages ago, pretty much knocks me out.

[laartista]

I'm glad you understand. Sometimes my body is just limp with exhaustion, but bed is the last thing I want. I know what you mean though about tired and sleepy being interchangeable. I also know that Mr. Lauren understands what I mean, but is just being a dick. Maybe I will show him your reply. But only the first paragraph.

I like your father's words about sleeping well.

I have some new age-y CDs too...I should try using those at bedtime. The problem is, when I listen to that music or or do yoga or anything that involves me clearing my mind, my brain immediately starts whirring away in defiance, either with productive mental to do lists, or asinine bits of nothing. So instead of relaxing and releasing all mental tension, I either make a big list of things I need to do the next day or start singing "Plop plop, fizz fizz, oh what a relief it is" in my head

Right now single malt whisky is working as as an effective sleeping aid. Can you suggest a Wim Wenders film? I trust your taste.

[nitadhalink]

My two favorites are "Wings of Desire" and its sequel "Far Away, So Close". They are about angels and are very, very lovely. "Paris, Texas" is cool, too, but slightly less beautiful (as it is not set in Berlin). The whole movie feels like a set-up for one of the final scenes, which wins the award for being the scene that is most touching and disturbing simultaneously. It's like a train-wreck of awkwardness regarding how pitiful men are when they're in love with someone who can't love them back. Because of the awkwardness, I can't really recommend it for the sleep value...

The other thing I would suggest is lying on your back, with your arms spread so that they aren't touching your sides. Starting with your toes and working up your body, consciously tense up each set of muscles and then relax, exhaling and imagining all the residual tension flowing out of your body with your breath. I find that when I concentrate on that, I drop off before I ever get to my ass. It's amazing.

[ladyofsinging]

I agree with you in that though they can be the same, they're frequently not! Even just last night for me I was absolutely exhausted, but not sleepy, which was really sucky. :)