TDTTKYUAN

Are you plagued by TDTTKYUAN ? TDTTKYUAN- those darn things that keep you up at night- are of two types: those that apply before hitting the mattress, and those after your head is on the pillow.
Usually, but not always, the first breed of TDTTKYUAN is easier to deal with. Work schedules, school reports, preparing whatever for the morrow can usually be scheduled for easier hours if one has the foresight and the true will to do so. Sick kids are one kind of TDTTKYUAN that can be very trying, but often the other spouse can hit-pitch for you if one is reaching the point of utter exhaustion. My particular TDTTKYUAN is either reading (preventable), or preparing work for Ricki’s school day (which would be easier if teachers would let me know earlier their plans).
More insidious are those TDTTKYUAN that fall into the second category, the after-your-head-hits-the-pillow form. For younger moms, these are often caused by pregnancy-related issues: when will I give birth/will it hurt/what do I do with the toddler/etc. For Jewish moms, Pesach (Passover) cleaning is a frequent culprit (so today I did this, so tomorrow I will tackle XYZ, and when in the world will I get to scrubbing the fridge?). Decisions about schooling, medical matters, housing, can also be poured into this same soup.
The advantage of this type of TDTTKYUAN, is that it is often very easily dealt with. How? Try this 2-step way:
1. Promise yourself that tomorrow, in clear daylight, you will explore your options and try and come to a calculated decision.
2. Make a concerted effort to think about something else. (Here a discman with earphones and a nice soothing collection of music is a real boon.)
Another type of after-your-head-hits-the-pillow TDTTKYUAN are minor aches and pains. And it was one of these that plagued me last night. After dealing with the adaptation of Ricki’s geography material for today, I dove into bed, with only the bare minimum of sleep time left before the arrival of the new day. That’s when I noticed that my right arm hurt. Lately it has often been “protesting” when I reach up for things, but last night my elbow ached. Immediately my mind went into high gear: Is this the start of arthritis? Is this what I’ve always heard from older people about joints hurting in anticipation of the rain? And am I really “that” old????? After ten minutes, I turned to my other side (onto that arm), and bravo, the pain went. And I fell asleep. But I am left with the questions…….

Experiencing It…(or) The Joy of Sleep

I had noticed that my son was spending way too much time on the computer. The problem is, his yeshiva also did…….he was obviously sleepy in class. So I have embargoed computer for him for a while. Then I decided that fair is fair, and that I am also spending way too much time on the computer on non-critical things. And, even worse, it is taking time away from more important pursuits…. Including a decent night’s sleep.
So yesterday and today I spent much less time on the machine. The result? Enough sleep. I felt entirely different. Suddenly, keeping my diet was not a lost battle. I had time for many activities. And did I miss the interesting news videos? Not really.
I had read often lately how sleep deprivation causes people to gain weight. I understood that sleeping would help me feel better. Today I experienced it.