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Here’s What Does
Sleep and I have never been good friends. Casual acquaintances much better describes my relationship with sleep.
My mom told stories of me never napping. She taught me to read at a very young age so that she could put me to bed with a pile of books that I’d happily go through so that she could go and take a nap.
Even to this day, I rarely nap. If I’m sick or exhausted, I might be able to sleep a little during the day. I had a horrible bout with the flu a few years ago, and even during that I rarely napped, would just close my eyes and rest throughout the day.
Until I was in my mid-forties, I didn’t need as much sleep as other people. I happily operated on five to six hours. My usual schedule meant staying up until midnight, then getting up at six AM.
I would be tired if I got less than that. But after a single night’s sleep of six to seven hours, I’d be fine.
Still, even though I needed less sleep, I wouldn’t say I slept great. Probably only three or four nights per week would I end up getting good sleep.
In my mid-forties, my hormones changed and I found that I started needing more sleep. I still resent losing all that time, lying in bed. But now, in my late fifties, I need closer to eight hours. It’s also a…
