Monday, January 08, 2024

of "off-bouts" and going off 'bout sleep

Off-bouts: One of the nicest things about talking to colleagues from other disciplines is learning something new. Today, I hung out with the biologists and learned the word "off-bout"--as in the time a mother bird spends away from her nest and eggs. I feel like I'm on a bit of an off-bout myself this week as I will not be home for dinner with the fam until (at least) Friday. 

Going Off 'Bout Sleep: Gillian, Nicole, Engie, Nance--how lucky I am to have your kindness and caring in this world! I'm sorry I seem to have distressed you a bit with my offhand remarks about sleep. I'm fine. I certainly look less haggard when I get more sleep, but I genuinely don't feel any other negative effects at the moment. I usually wake up before my alarm goes off on weekdays and wake up at dawn even on the weekend. Perhaps this is wishful thinking, but... I count these as signs my body is getting the sleep it needs? I love my fam dearly, but I also absolutely cherish the late nights and early mornings when no one else is up. And I feel too set in my ways to change now! 

Pic: I didn't take any today. It was a doozy of a day--I did a new exercise and my back is all tender and twinge-y, and everything is a struggle--I thought I was going to pass out when I tried to get my socks on this morning.

7 comments:

StephLove said...

I know there's variation in how much sleep people need, but four hours seems really extreme. I'm on the other end of the spectrum, feeling slightly fatigued because I only got seven last night (7.5 to 8 is my average) so that makes it hard for me to imagine.

Nicole said...

Well, if you're waking up naturally that's a good sign!

Nance said...

And now I've learned something new about birds! Thank you.

As Steph pointed out, people's sleep needs differ, and those needs can even differ by circumstance. You're coming off a good break from work, too, so you may feel more energized.

NGS said...

I guess if you're waking up naturally, your body is okay with that amount of sleep. There is a spectrum of sleep needs, of course, so maybe you're just one of those people who need less sleep.

Gillian said...

Good.

Sarah said...

I cherish my early mornings, but no late nights for me!!

maya said...

Steph--I hope you get all the good sleep you want. In my family, my mom began to need less sleep at my age, but once she went on medication, it made her need more sleep.

Nicole--Yeah! No night-night? :D

Nance--I was so charmed that there was such a precise word for the phenomenon!

Engie--I hope!

Gillian-- :)

Sarah--You have such early mornings even with a toddler; it's impressive.

going on 17

Nu turns 17 tomorrow and they have plans with friends, so we had our family celebration today with pizza, cake, and presents. Nu rarely want...