Catching 40 Winks My Way

I caught them! I finally caught them! Now, I know what I experienced is not what is traditionally referred to as 40 winks, but that’s the first phrase that came to mind when I rubbed the sleep from my eyes this morning. Folklore’s 40 winks are supposed to symbolize a daytime nap, but mine were in the dead of night. For once, I feel well-rested and ready for the day and, after an old bedtime routine, insomnia didn’t win.

Same old bedtime routine

I don't know what happened. Last night, I did nothing special before bed. In fact, my routine was much the same. I ate fairly early, not after 7:00 PM, and I didn’t do any vigorous exercise – not that I am 1 to pursue that endeavor anyway. My entire evening prior to bedtime was spent on the couch catching up on paperwork and watching Netflix.

I couldn’t have had a more mundane evening. Maybe that’s the key. Who knows, really.

Lights out

Around 11:00 PM, I turn off the lights. Typically, I watch a few videos on Facebook Watch before I give it up for the night completely. I don’t actually remember having time to pull any videos up on my phone last night. In fact, the last thing I recall is reaching over and turning off the lamp on the bedside table. Everything seemed to happen very quickly. I curled up, settled my head and neck into my contour pillow, and I was gone.

On a typical night, that would last about an hour or so before I was jarred awake. From that point on, I would lie awake staring at the crack of light between the 2 thick panels of my blackout curtains. I would will myself to stop looking at the clock, hoping that I had slept much longer than I feared I had. That is my norm – my usual sleep pattern. Last night was different.

Awake and afraid

When I rolled over and looked at the clock this morning, I was afraid. It was one of those moments when you realize you have somehow lost time and don’t know how you got where you are. I distinctly remember one night like that 2 decades ago when my infant son slept through the night for the first time.

Peeking at the clock and realizing that daylight was pouring through the windows, I was hit by 2 feelings slamming through my brain at once – I was scared out of my mind and filled with an overwhelming sense of relief. This morning’s feelings were not anywhere close to the intensity of that long-ago morning, but my heart did beat a little faster and a brief sense of panic raced through me.

I’ll take it

Though I may not soon give up trying to pinpoint the winning combination of factors, I am going to stop worrying for now. Last night proved one thing – my body is capable of a good night’s sleep. I am not completely broken, and I can wake feeling rested and ready to tackle a day at work with a clear head. I will celebrate it when it happens.

Here’s to 40 winks last night, and 40 more, hopefully, in the near future!

Have you ever had a surprisingly successful night of sleep? Please share in a comment.