The Secret Diary of a Budding Insomniac

I used to be a good sleeper -- I could fall asleep anywhere, sleep through a hurricane and wake up feeling refreshed and positively un-grumpy. Somewhere along the line, things changed. I don't know if it's age, anxiety or environment but I now often -- too often -- find myself struggling to fall asleep, battling to stay asleep and then fighting to wake up feeling rested.

Take tonight, for example. I know I have to wake up early and be ready for action. I headed to bed at 11:30pm but I couldn't fall asleep. My mind was alert and active. OK, I thought, I'll give in and work on the computer for a short while, just till my eyes get tired. It is now 2am and I'm still awake. Still alert. Eyes still not tired. I want to sleep but I know I am subconsciously fighting it as well. Wonder what I'm afraid of.

I truly hope that with more exercise, maybe a change of scenery, an overall better quality of life, my old friend sleep will come back to stay. I miss it. I'd hate to think it's gone for good. I'm too young to be that old.

Update: It seems that in choosing to write about sleep this week I am in good company. Christoph Niemann, who illustrates a wonderful blog at The New York Times, also has sleep on the brain. And news out of the U.K. suggests that sharing a bed may be bad for your health. Sleep specialist Dr Neil Stanley told the British Science Festival how bed sharing can cause rows over snoring and duvet-hogging and robs precious sleep. Dr. Stanley says, "We all know what it's like to have a cuddle and then say 'I'm going to sleep now' and go to the opposite side of the bed. So why not just toddle off down the landing?"