sweet temptation and the quest for sleep

"The only way to get rid of a temptation
is to yield to it."

-- Oscar Wilde

These past few weeks have so far been challenging. My little slumber party at the sleep clinic last month yielded some not-so-good news. I've been diagnosed with two very distinct but equally inconvenient problems: Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome and UARS.

The primary goal to treat the former is to improve my circadian rhythm by restoring my brain's ability to produce and reduce melatonin with the help of some pills and my dork lamp. This, hopefully, will earn me a healthier , more consistent and less disrupted sleep cycle. One of the many things I now have to observe to accomplish this goal is to avoid ANY stimulants after 9 pm. My doctor recommended a period of two weeks of uninterrupted time-based withdrawal before we proceed with further testing and treatment options. My proposal was 4: I need the two extra weeks just to adjust. No alcohol, no chocolate, no caffeine, no sugar, nicotine and forget about masturbation or sex after 9 pm.

"I'm sorry." I thought to myself, "I registered for sleep therapy, not REHAB!"

Week 1 was a total failure. I managed a couple days out of week 2, but if you had read my previous my loser entry about losing stuff while under the influence, then you know I hadn't done so well, either.

This week was different. I had gone out with roomie RP and AJ the DJ Friday night and succeeded to avoid alcohol the entire night. We hit 4 bars and all I had was club soda. Same thing last night. To show his support, RP stayed in and we had our first movie night.

Before you pat me on the back, do know that I did give in to Haagen Dazs' Mayan Chocolate Ice Cream, which DID cause me to stay up until five and consequently sleep in until 1 pm. So I'm off my cycle again, BUT I woke up with no hangover, I didn't waste money at a bar or club AND I spent some QT with RP. And oh yeah...I didn't lose a single personal item. :-)

Wilde was sooo right. The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. In my case, it sometimes isn't the yielding in general that should matter--it is yielding to the lesser of two evils that make me feel, well, less of a loser.



P.S. Off to see The Science of Sleep. No, I'm not trying to be cute. Just a fan of G.G. Bernal.