I had a new and unusual experience lately, for me anyway, a little bout with insomnia. All my life I have been a great sleeper. I would always fall asleep fast, stay asleep, and sleeping in was always a treat. Restless nights of tossing and turning are something I have rarely experienced

Well the other night all that changed. I remember something waking me, peeking at the clock which read 1:57am. Of course I immediately got up and stumbled to the bathroom, something that seems automatic when I awaken during the night. As I laid back down, I really didn't think much about waking, that usually does happen, sometimes several times, but I can always go right back to sleep.

I snuggled into my "go to sleep" position and closed my eyes. I had read something once that said you can train your body to fall asleep faster if you find one position that you are comfortable in, and always go there right before you go to sleep. This will eventually train your body that when you are in that position to go to sleep faster. I have done this for years, and I really do think it works.

Well, it always worked until that night anyway. My "go to sleep" position was worthless. Pretty soon I was uncomfortable from being in it so long, and had to start shifting. So this really threw me off, because I don't remember falling asleep in any other position for years. Glancing at the clock again, I realized 30 minutes had gone by and I was even more wide awake.

At this point my mind started racing. Why couldn't I go back to sleep? I started doing little number games in my head, much like counting sheep, but nothing seemed to work. Another 30 minutes went by and still no sleep. I began planning my next day activities, problem solving some work related issues, even writing a couple of painting columns in my head. Nothing worked.

After another 30 minutes awake, the stress started setting in. How much sleep was I going to end up getting now? Would I be able to function properly the next day? Why oh why was this happening? The anxiety of not sleeping started my mind in a different direction. If I did start to nod off, my mind would go "oh yeah!!!" and that would be enough to snap me back awake. It was terrible, and I have a new appreciation of anyone who has sleep problems.

The big dilemma was whether to get up or not. I kept thinking I felt so restless, I wanted to move, yet I was trying to keep myself calm and still. Some people say they get up and do stuff, watch TV, work on their computer, etc., but I was so worried that by getting up, I would only be that much more awake.

I started feeling claustrophobic from the bed and the covers, and wanted to feel free to toss and turn without disturbing my husband. Also, my husband does snore somewhat, but I can usually sleep through it with the aid of some good ear plugs. But this night, even a heavy breath sounded impossibly loud and intrusive. As I hit the two hour mark awake, 4:00am now, I decided to go to my daughters bedroom and try to go to sleep.

I was really hoping it would be an immediate cure, and sleep would happen almost instantaneous, but another hour passed in her room before I finally went back to sleep. At least I could flop around all I wanted trying to find my "go to sleep" position, without worrying about my husband.

What makes someone who is a good sleeper a bad one out of the blue? I have gone over my day, and not figured out what made that night different. Of course the next night I made sure to take one of those little over the counter sleep aids because I was so worried about it happening again. All I know is I don't want to lose this gift I have of being a good sleeper, it is way too much work for me. My heart goes out to all you insomniacs!