Sleep Deprivation
Olivia has been offering us both some sleepless or at least restless nights for the last little while. While, I have it easier, my wife is up every few hours to nurse the little darling. I get her when she just won’t go down for a sleep. I must have some magic powers because she just drifts off in my arms and sleeps for a few hours. I do not.
The truth is that when I hold her in bed and try to doze off, I can’t get to sleep, or at least restful sleep. Instead, I am in some type of lucid state where I am alert to the conscious world and controlling some odd memories or dreams. Despite being cool, lucid dreaming, it is getting frustrating. So, I looked it up, sleep deprivation that is. Wikipedia offers some characteristics of sleep deprivation:
- lucid dreaming
- daytime naps
- aching muscles
- decreased concentration
Hmmm. Seems I have those. So how to correct this? Well, sleep when the baby sleeps. Olivia is awake more during the days and seems to enjoy a nap around dinner time. I suspect this is a move towards more night time sleeping. Except that she spends some time up each night.
What effect does this have on school? A big one. I am trying to map out my literature review more completely and gather the document for an extensive and intensive reading project. Alas, I cannot find my focus on the task. My friends would argue this is nothing unusual but I have the ability to focus on things, especially if I am dedicated to it.
Work and community service are suffering the same lack of focus. I have some major projects due in the next few weeks and my mind is wandering all over the place. I already suffer with sleep apnea and wear a CPAP to correct that, but without consistent sleep, I am drifting back into how I was before the CPAP…see sleep deprivation.
Well, off for a nap.
