So…..yall know my plan to go to bed super early last night??!!
Backfire. Backfire, backfire, backfire. I did go to bed early (climbed in bed around 8, hoping to get a 7 hours of sleep) but didn’t end falling asleep until MIDNIGHT. That’s right—I only got 3 hours of sleep last night! 🙁 I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve always had issues falling asleep. I tend to get incredibly anxious about it and especially now, when I know I have to be up at 3:00, I found myself checking the clock over and over…tossing and turning and practically shouting in frustration. How could it possibly be??!! I was SO tired!!!!!!!!!!!!
When my alarm went off at 3:15, I said many a prayer for strength to get through the day because, Lord knows, I do NOT function well on no sleep. I tend to feel sick to my stomach with exhaustion. My prayers were answered though because somehow (and I have no idea how), I felt actually LESS tired today than I did yesterday. I was able to make it through my workday and even stay late to finish up baking olive bread. I’m sure I look like hell but I WILL NOT let myself take a nap this afternoon. I just have to pull myself together and I plan on doing an hour of yoga and take a walk with my mom. I also bought some Melatonin 3 at Greenwise after my shift ended so hopefully that’ll help. I don’t want to take tylonel pm for a number of reasons, mainly because when 3:00 rolls around I will be too groggy to get up from it!
So anyways, when I got up this morning I immediately down a glass of hot water with half a lemon squeezed into it and I swear that’s one of the contributing factors for my ability to make it through the day. Lemon juice cleanses out your body and it woke me right up—no caffeine needed! I also had half this larabar and ate the other half around 6:
I took my breakfast break around 7:30 and heated up the oat bran I packed for myself. Here’s a glimpse of my lunchbox….now my breakfastbox. 1/2 cup of oat bran, a bottle with a cup of skim milk in it, a spoonful of pumpkin seed butter and a little baggie with cinnamon and brown sugar to mix in!
With a cup of tea—
Around 11:00, I snacked on some almonds—
And ate lunch at 1:30 when I got home from work. I honestly haven’t been hungry all day….I could have easily just skipped lunch! How weird is that?? Obviously its a combo of my new schedule and my extreme exhaustion. Either way, I knew skipping a meal would be a bad idea, so I had something light. A yogurt, some grapes and a bowl of my carrot ginger soup from the other day:
I’m off to exercise. If I don’t do it now, I won’t do it and I MUST sleep tonight! :\
Amy C.
January 14, 2009 at 1:38 pmI hate just lying in bed like that. I’ll cross my fingers that sleeping comes easier (and quicker!) to you tonight. It sounds like you’ve had a good day so far though. I LOVE your little bottle that your milk is in. It’s so cute!
polly
January 14, 2009 at 1:41 pmoh girl, I will pray you sleep tonight. I hate lying in bed like that and the clock ticks by and ugh! Love you, sweetie and keep at it, your body will adjust. Enjoy some YUMMY yoga and YUMMY eats! XOOX
Brandi
January 14, 2009 at 1:45 pmI’m the same way with sleep!
I use Melatonin, and it helps me a lot.
kristen
January 14, 2009 at 1:54 pmI have the same problem sometimes!!! Most of the time if I think too much about sleeping, which makes it worse. I hate that feeling. Usually I have to get up and watch a little tv and read a book to “quiet” my mind. Naps and caffeine are also a bad thing for me, but a good work-out always helps!
kristen
Stacy
January 14, 2009 at 2:04 pmHey Jenna, I have a question about the hot water with lemon. I’ve been looking for a warm drink because of how unappealing cold water is in the winter and think this might be it. I just can’t make myself like tea but i love unsweetened lemon. Do you think there is a problem with using bottled lemon juice rather than fresh?
Sarah (lovINmytummy)
January 14, 2009 at 2:17 pmUgh, I hate looking at the clock all night long! I did that the night before my race, and it just creates all this pressure to fall asleep NOW! I find that if I get up and do something and DON’T look at the clock and then go back to bed when I am feeling sleepy, that usually solves the problem.
I hope tonight goes a lot more smoothly for you!
Paige
January 14, 2009 at 2:25 pmOh man, I totally feel the same way about sleep. If I have to get up early my body psychs itself out and I end up sleeping terribly. And like you, I just cannot function when I’m tired. So I totally feel for you! I hope your body adjusts to the new schedule soon!
Sarah W.
January 14, 2009 at 2:25 pmYikes – sorry about the sleep, that is awful – I am the exact same way!!! its sooo frustrating! A shower at night helps to put me to sleep though – have you tried that? its weird, if I shower in morning it wakes me up, but a shower after 6pm puts me straight to sleep. i’m a freak I know.
ModelBehavior
January 14, 2009 at 2:26 pmI get anxious when i have to get up early to, and 3 am is beyond early! Dont’ worry i’m sure your body will adjust, hang in there, and good luck!
http://www.modbehav.com
Ashley
January 14, 2009 at 2:31 pmI get anxious liek that too when I know I have to be up early. I’m always checking my clock is feels like every 10 minutes. I hope you can get a good nights rest tonight. I feel like not taking a nap in the day will help you snooze easier when its time to go to bed. goodluck!
VeggieGirl
January 14, 2009 at 2:33 pmhang in there!!!!
Amanda
January 14, 2009 at 2:46 pmI absolutely know how you feel about being anxious. Is there anything (reading/watching tv) that would just put you to sleep? I know that 10 pages of a book is all I need to nod off and it gets my mind out of the “must fall asleep” mentality!
caroline
January 14, 2009 at 2:46 pmTossing and turning is the worst:(
I got Sublingual Melatonin from my acupuncturist, and it helped me ween off sleep meds, its awesome! I agree about the water/lemon, I start my day the same way, I can’t function without doing so- simple and easy! Good luck with the rest of your day, and especially your night!
-Caroline
Sharon
January 14, 2009 at 2:47 pmI often have troubles falling asleep too! Hope all goes well today!
Allison K.
January 14, 2009 at 2:53 pmI so know how you feel. I get that same anxiety when falling asleep, especially when i know I have to be up early, or if I have something I should be “well rested” for, I think I got like 3 hours of sleep the night before my SATs. I’ll pray that you get a better night of sleep tonight!
Alyssa
January 14, 2009 at 3:07 pmBummer! I think it will just take adjusting, a few rocky nights and then you’ll probably get used to it. Hang in there, we’re rooting for you!!! 😛
Hilary
January 14, 2009 at 3:09 pmGah! I’m sooo sorry! Not being able to sleep is always really really frustrating.
Melatonin is supposed to work well. Other herbs that are supposed to help with sleep/relaxation: 5-htp and Kava Kava. I’ve taken them before with inconsistent success but I know someone who swears by them so I thought I would share.
megan
January 14, 2009 at 3:23 pmHey Jenna, I’ve been reading for awhile, but this is the first time I’ve commented. I’m sorry to hear how rough your sleep was last night! Hopefully you’ll get used to it soon though and not have any more problems. I wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your blog and look forward to reading it every day. You’re so open and honest and friendly! 🙂 Hope tonight goes better than last night!
rachel
January 14, 2009 at 3:31 pmthat’s normal when you have to get up so early, i think! when i started an early am job, i was so paranoid about oversleeping (which i did once or twice)…eventually i got used to it and really enjoyed being up so early. even now when i need to get up early to study before work i have trouble sleeping. it will come together before too long.
on another topic: i really enjoy reading about your ayurevidic/cleansing tips. i am somewhat skeptical about detox and cleansing (i am married to an allopathic med student, so that may be why!), but enjoy learning more about it. what are your thoughts on detox? also, did the lecture last week push you back toward a vegetarian/vegan diet?
enjoy your day!
jenna
January 14, 2009 at 4:30 pmRachel,
Great questions! First of all, I actually think detoxing is a good way to rid your system of any toxins and just clean everything out. I’ve never fasted or done a “juice detox” or, panchakarma (as it is called relating to Ayurvedic medicine), but I would be interested in possibly doing it at some point. Even after my “mini detox” over the weekend with so much yoga, I feel so much better inside and out! As for a vegetarian diet, not at all. Kishan, the instructor of the yoga weekend, isn’t a vegetarian and advocates the perspective that being a vegetarian isn’t for everyone. It simply doesn’t work with some people because they need meat to thrive. I don’t know about me needing meat to “thrive” but as a protein source, I do enjoy it every once and a while. Meat is actually considered medicine in Ayurveda and different types of meat (or no meat at all) is directed appropriate to your dosha type.
Allie M.
January 14, 2009 at 3:41 pmHi Jenna,
I’ve been reading your blog for awhile but have never commented! I was going to suggest Melatonin before I saw that you bought it. I use it when I need to guarantee falling asleep. It works well–I usually have to take it an hour or so before I want to be asleep so it can work it’s magic. What I like about it is that I am totally not dependent on it at all. I could take it every day for a week and then be off of it for 3 weeks and be totally fine sleep-wise no matter what. Hope it helps!
Mel
January 14, 2009 at 3:50 pmI really hope that you fall asleep early tonight. The clock makes me really anxious too when I know I have to get up. Is there a way for you to turn it around or put a towel over it? Not being able to see it does help me, so much so I don’t even have one in my room anymore. It might help, just a suggestion!
Shelby
January 14, 2009 at 4:01 pmAww, hun I hope you find a way to sleep soon! =(
Great breakfast, you are so prepared!!!
Emily
January 14, 2009 at 4:01 pmHey Jenna,
Sometimes when I have trouble sleeping, I use a hypnotherapy download specifically designed to help you get a good, deep sleep and I am asleep before I know it.
http://www.rewritingmylife.com/download.html
Enjoy your yoga today!
Emily.
BethT
January 14, 2009 at 4:08 pmI am the same way when I know I have to get up early. I am sure it’s tough, but after a few days your body will get used to it!
Milly
January 14, 2009 at 4:26 pmHey Jenna,
I have very frequent sleeping troubles. I normally have a very hard time falling asleep and I wake up many times through out the night. Mostly it’s nerves and I am generally anxious about things (I am applying to graduate schools right now!!). Some rituals that I have gotten into the habit of doing is deep breathing exercises. Sometimes I feel that mediation, per se, right before bed is not very effective. But, during the night whenever I feel like I am getting overly anxious I notice it and then try and distract my mind and really focus on deep breathing. It slows your heart rate and distracts you for a bit. Your yoga practice could help with this!! Also, and this might not be for you, but I started to listen to trickling water when I fall asleep. You can get one of those ‘noise’ machines that play different sounds for deep relaxation. Or, what I do, is I listen to trickling water from a ‘waterfall’ that I have in my room (you know those little waterfalls where the water trickles over rocks etc…?–they’re relatively small). These things aid in relaxation. Maybe you should turn your clock away also so you can’t keep looking at it…for me, that would be me more anxious, but for some it might help!!
Hope this lengthy post might help!!!
Good luck!
kristi
January 14, 2009 at 4:27 pmHi Jenna,
I’ve been following your and a few other’s blogs lately and I just love them! You are a very inspiring person! I’ve already gotten a lot of yummy food ideas from your blog and you’ve also got me wanting to get into yoga. Anyways, just wanted to introduce myself and say HI! 🙂
Kaneil
January 14, 2009 at 4:30 pmHi Jenna! I’m a daily reader, but haven’t commented yet. I feel your pain regarding sleep deprivation. There is nothing worse!
Hang in there! Hopefully the exercise and pure exhaustion will help. Last time I was worried about sleeping through, I set more than one alarm and kept reminding myself that I would be fine and would not sleep through.
Sweet dreams! 🙂 Kaneil
Marissa
January 14, 2009 at 5:22 pmI sometimes get anxious at night too. I am sure you’ll adjust in no time!
Marissa
January 14, 2009 at 5:24 pmYUM!
K
January 14, 2009 at 5:30 pmThe anxiety of knowing you have to wake up early is the worst 🙁 I hope your body adjusts soon!!
Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter)
January 14, 2009 at 6:38 pmJenna, so sorry. Hope you get some better rest tonight. Glad you got in some yoga. The melatonin was a good idea. My husband swears by that stuff!
Steph
January 14, 2009 at 7:59 pmHi Jenna,
I’ve been reading your blog for the past seven months or so. I wanted to tell you how much I admire your dedication to photographing & posting your meals, and to share your choices with so many people.
I have a problem and I know you aren’t a RD, but I was hoping you could provide some quick insight or tips…
I eat healthfully most of the time – but I have a problem with binge eating. I take pains to plan my meals, but I come home after a somewhat stressful work day and eat everything I can get my hands on. I eat so fast & standing up. I’ve told myself to stop eating standing up or on-the-go but I can’t seem to stop. I’ve struggled for years & can’t afford to seek professional help.
I look to your blog as an example, but most days I end up falling short. I’m not overweight somehow – but I am afraid of what I am doing to my body (and mind.)
I really am sick of living this way – it’s so shameful and so awful for me.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Steph
Meredith
January 14, 2009 at 10:38 pmThat used to happen to me when I had to get up at 4AM for work! I would get so anxious about sleeping that I wouldn’t be able to! Have you tried aromatherapy? I have some lavender-scented spritzer that I spray on my pillow, and I think it helps. You can probably make some with lavender oil and water, right?
Foodiegymmie
January 15, 2009 at 5:47 amim glad i found ur website! very insightful and those recipes are just what i need! 🙂
keep up ur lifestyle… love it!
rgds