h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Just saying hi before I miss you again - gotta sign off quickly because I'm at work. Hi

*Waves to Trin*

I, too, am only able to pop in from time to time at the mo, 'cos this isn't my puter, so I can only get on it when the owner doesn't need it (or indeed the room in which it is located).

RF

Hi!Byeeee!

I'm in the same boat myself San Tropez? I didn't know that badgers used tanning lotion

8:15 Sunday evening and I'm back again - why do I pick all the awkward times?

*Waves back at everybody*

Awkward times, huh? Let's see. *Gets down a copy of 'Old Punnikerter's Almanack of Dates 'n' Times for 1839'* 8.15, 8.15 ... Ah, here we are. Apparently 8.15 on a Sunday was a sacred hour for the Vestdruids of Croydon in the sixth century B.C. Wouldn't surprise me if slightly occult forces were at work. You're not standing on a ley-line, are you?

Hang on - h2 says it's 7 hours since I last posted, and I'm awake again and Trin is still online

I did take a bit of a break in the middle!

Seven hours? Is that enough sleep? You are taking it easy, right? Not trying to do anything too complex too soon? Give yourself time to come round, that's my advice...

Well I have a cup of and have made it as far as the computer, but I'm not sure I'll manage much else just yet

I have this new policy that if I stay up late I still have to get up at the same time in the morning and not sleep in. I'm discovering this strange thing called morning and all the hours that are actually there if you are awake - there are heaps of them before it becomes afternoon.

Hmm, morning - overrated, if you ask me. I'm doing the same sort of timekeeping myself at the moment, or trying to anyway. My earliest start in the week is 7 AM, but I don't have to do it everyday. So, on those days when I don't have to get up that early, I tell myself, "Now, be sensible, try to keep to the same sleep rhythm and then the early starts won't hurt as much."

And then ... well, there's something on TV, there's a book I want to finish, etc.

And, before you know it, there I am, two in the morning, knowing I've got to get up in five hours time, reminding myself not to be so stupid this coming week.

It won't happen. Nightowls need flexitime, that's what I say.

I've been reading about circadian rythms and how this affects sleep and health. Apparently all the chemicals produced at night get produced at certain times in the rythm, and things like light and staying up late can throw it out. I figure I need all the sleep and health chemicals I can get at the moment.

Still, you are right about flexitime, and I'm sure I will find how many late nights I can get away with

I'm sure thats not how you spell rythm...rhythm?

I'm considering breakfast now

Mmmm, breakfast

I'm definitely in favour of sticking to a particular sleep rhythm. It's just having to juggle two completely incompatible sleep rhythms that's throwing me at the moment.

So - having now read my own advice, maybe I'll try sticking to it and sloping off for an early night.

Wishing you lots of sleep (later) and health chemicals (throughout the day)

er, that didn't work then, my plan to lure you back to more time on h2. See what happens to my brain when I get up early

Just kidding. I have a new found appreciation for early nights, although early for me still seems to be before midnight

Thanks for the good wishes . I see you are offline already, so sweet dreams

i'm a terminal night owl!
it doesnt matter what time i go to bed.... i just lay there and not sleep.
does anyone know if theres any point in that? i mean if just laying there in a dark room is restful enough... or if i might as well just turn on the light and read a book untill i'm tired?

If you are tired then lying in the dark and *relaxing* is good - relaxation can often restore the body tremendously even in the absence of sleep.

If you are not relaxed, then I find getting up and reading or doing the crossword or something makes it possible to go back to bed later and sleep.

However, if this is a regular thing then turning on the light is not a good idea as light triggers the pineal gland to stop melatonin production which is necessary for sleep and lots of other essential functions. This is why sleeping in complete dark (no street or night lights) is good.

This site also talks about light therapy, and the various kinds of circadian rhythm disorders:

http://www.apollolight.com/new_content/circadian%20rhythms_disorders/sleep/circadian_sleep_disorders.html

And this site confirms Trin's commonsense about owls : http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/early.html

I have come to the conclusion that no matter how much sleep I get, Uni just drains my energy away. We've only started a little more than a week ago and I'm already a zombie.

Exercise - that's what's wanted!
*Said with the fervour of someone who has embarked on a new exercise regime this very day.*
Rowing machine when I get up and then walk to and from work. No! I don't work from home.

I walk to and/or from Uni whenever I can. I like walking. The problem is when I'm _in_ Uni.

some things give us energy and some things sap it. Do you have things that you can do to give you energy? Artistic or spiritual things?

Does near-insane high-strength coffee consumption count?