Normal? dead tired at 10:30pm, wide awake thereafter

[Annie N]

I have always been a night owl, but for some time now I have seen a pattern where I feel like I could just go right to sleep if only I could get to bed at 10:30, but since I generally have to stay up a little later, I end up wide awake, and often have trouble going to sleep before 1 am (or later :angry: ).

 

I was just wondering if this "second wind" was normal?

 

Thanks :)

[shalom22]

It's either normal, or we aren't..:). My dh and I are the same way, if we can get to sleep by 10:30 or 11:00, all is good. But stay up later than that and we are up until 2:00am.

[melissel]

Normal, and not particularly healthy for you. When you're tired but don't go to sleep, your brain gives you a shot of cortisol (a stress hormone), which is what gives you that extra energy, or second wind. It's what makes overtired babies and kids so insane and unable to control themselves--we call it "wired tired" around here :D

 

Cortisol is important for your body--it's part of your "fight or flight" response and many other brain functions—but a constant flow of cortisol in your brain erodes your available serotonin, and eventually your brain's ability to make serotonin. Too much stress (lots of cortisol to deal with the stress) and too little sleep (lots of cortisol for energy) can lead to bad things--depression, anxiety disorders, etc.

 

Of course, that's the worst case scenario. The short response is that pushing past the tiredness and into the second wind won't hurt you occasionally, but IMO, if you can (I work late most nights, so rely on the second wind a bit too heavily!), you should listen to what your body's telling you.

 

ETA an interesting link. I didn't know this!

 

http://www.wellnesstips.ca/sleep%20and%20cortisol.htm

[Annie N]

Oh, great :) It's so nice to know I'm normal, or at least within the range :wink: Thanks so much, Samantha and Melissa :)

 

Now I understand better why I do the sorts of things that I do when I'm tense when I don't get enough sleep...