I need a better strategy

[anotheranon]

Gahh...

Today was another high on the rain-o-meter. Problem was, I had to drive halfway across the beltway.. and back....for a dental appointment. Good news, no cavities, but the dark and cold is anesthetizing me - I nearly fell asleep (!) on the road.

I got some beyond the usual call of duty caffiene in me and am still suffering (yes, suffering!) the repercussions: anxiety, shakiness. My skin is also less than impressed with this feat.

Cold and dark has consistently made me lethargic since childhood, but one of the effects of coming off Depo is that caffiene fscks with my mood a lot more now, turning all my newly found bubbly energy into teeth-grinding anxiety and circular self-destructive thinking. I was musing last night about how awesome it would be to have all my friends over for a winter wonderland weekend of cuddling under blankets, talking, watching movies, sewing, and generally having a great intellectual summit, but this marvy idea won't even get out of the gate if I can't stay awake, or am awake-but-tetchy the entire time.

Possible solution: I'm about to go exercise in front of my sun light and I'm going to start eating breakfast in front of it every day. I'm also going to try to keep to a quasi-regular schedule on weekends, avoiding the impulse to sleep all day/stay up all night (hey, you, snickering there in the back - cut it out :P) I figure if I've got to be awake, it's better to be giddy than grumpy. And that's my sunshiney thought for the day :P

Comments

[nminusone.livejournal.com]

That brain chemical discussion thing... we should do a phone call sometime. The email/LJ thing ain't working so well, and at least for me writing is way slower than talking.

[kat1392.livejournal.com]

Once your body adjusts to the hormone change, the side affects from caffiene should go away.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

I do hope you're right!

[semmie17.livejournal.com]

I've had to lower my caffeine intake too, because I found myself grinding my teeth because of the stress. Have mostly given up coffee, and switched over to tea -- now I have that hot drink in the morning, but I can fool my body with the tea-milk-sugar bomb.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

But doesn't tea have almost as much caffiene as coffee (admittedly, plus antioxidant properties that java doesn't have)?

I AM drinking herbal tea at night though - I find a couple of cups of chamomile slows me down nicely.

[semmie17.livejournal.com]

Well, the boxes and magazines say that tea has about half the caffeine, but I think it depends on the tea. (I bet the way I brew Earl Grey could rival coffee in caffeine!) However, it's easy to cut the caffeine from a teabag -- run it under hot water for about ten seconds before you put it in your cup and pour the hot water. That will cut the caffeine by about 50%.

[tommdroid.livejournal.com]

Sensible plan, but don't forget to spoil yourself with good stuff :)) It is indeed getting darker, and I have begun gettign problems with sleep. Sunlight is VERY good :)