Today marks Day 3 or 4 of a week of my working the overnight shift. (I appear confused on the day due to two reasons: the first is a severe lack of sleep because my body clock just isn't good at doing a 180 degree turnaround for the sleep schedule. The second reason is because while everyone else is finishing their Wednesday, I'm getting ready to start my Thursday.)

I only bring up the schedule thing because I have learned the hard way that all those doctors and scientists who talk about problems related to a lack of sleep really are on to something. In my line of work, I read a LOT -- A lot of news stories, press releases, blogs, Tweets, magazines, etc. And one of those health stories that comes up every so often is about the ills and aftereffects of sleep deprivation. They say people who don't have enough rest are on the same mental level while driving as someone who'd had a few too many drinks and got behind the wheel of a car. Lack of sleep is also a contributing factor to diseases, including things that lead to diabetes and other fun stuff like that.

I, however, have done my own research and have come up with a few tried-and-true axioms as well:

1) Things always seem much worse when you haven't had enough sleep. No kidding. The smallest thing can really make me mad and bring me to the verge of tears. (And yes, it really WAS worth needing tissues when Lunchbox ate the last Lofthouse cookie. Those things are like soft, buttery crack.) 

2) Important phone conversations should probably not take place when you're sleep deprived. You may possibly agree to things you wouldn't have under normal circumstances. ("Sure, honey, that tractor pull sounds like a great reason to get a sitter for Saturday night." "No, sweetie, I promise a hot dog from the Target snack bar will be fine for dinner. Texas de Brazil is probably too crowded anyway.") Just don't do it.

3) Rule number 2 also goes for emails, especially those directed to people you work for/with. But if you insist on "sending while sleepy", at least get a proofreader first. (They can probably talk you out of sending that half-cocked rant to your boss...or at the very least hit the "delete" key while your sleepy self is dozing off in the middle of typing it.)

4) When you DO finally lie down to rest after days on end of sleep deprivation, remember to move your phone away from your reach. While we're on this subject, I'd like to apologize to friends and family members with whom I've had a conversation and no knowledge of it afterward because I was asleep the whole time. 

These simple tips will help you, too, overcome the inconvenience that is being sleepy. 

An all-night Starbucks wouldn't hurt, either.

Copyright December 2009  All rights reserved