goofy in the head

[kitanzi]

I have no idea why I feel like I haven't slept in two days. I did sleep last night, though not much the night before, but I'm chugging tea and walking into walls and dropping crap. Usually sleep deprivation makes me cranky and bitchy, but by some odd mental alchemy today I'm goofy and laughing at myself. No idea why, and too tired to try and figure it out. I hope it lasts. I hope I can do it again next time.
I hope I can walk THROUGH the door with the hot tea next time...
Anyone have good ideas for handling exhaustion, other than massive amounts of caffine or getting *gasp* some sleep?

Comments

[bercilakslady.livejournal.com]

Make sure you stay hydrated, and have healthy food in you.

Other than that, I don't really have a solution, though I wish I did.

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Yeah, will certainly do that. Thanks for reminding me on the hydration - tea does not count, and in fact counts AGAINST that, so yeah.

[madfilkentist]

I sometimes feel that way when I've got a mild illness. Rest is better than caffeine if that's the case.

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Yeah, caffine has its own problems... sleep will certainly be on the agenda once I get through today. Just gotta get through today FIRST.

[devinsong.livejournal.com]

When I'm dead on my feet, I try to do the tedious repetitive stuff that normally bores me. It gets stupid stuff like filing or going through that pile of old papers out of the way, and stops me from attempting to do stuff I just don't have the brainpower for.

If I really can't avoid thinking, I try to keep it slow and methodical.

Um. Eat protein, light on carbs. Carbohydrates tend to make one sleepy after the initial rush of energy.

This was actually yesterday for me- I've got a mild cold, and slept very badly Christmas night. Yesterday was quite zombieish. (Is that a word? Well, it is now!)

Last night I actually slept, and today feel more energetic and alert, though I will try not to work late, as I'm still running a low grade fever.

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

stupid stuff would have been good if I had the option... unfortunately, this week I am doing a) my job, b) the job of the coworker who had the other half of this project but quit with no notice and may have been planning to given how half done most of her crap is, c) the job of two other people with COMPLETELY DIFFERENT JOBS who are on vacation this week. These two people have the job I hope to apply for in the next month, so I need to do well at it.... so mental napping was not really possible. Moving at top speed does do well for keeping me awake, though it didn't keep me from having to redo things. Fortunately, fewer things than I feared.

[devinsong.livejournal.com]

No happy mediums Christmas week- either it's dead slow, or insanely busy because you're shorthanded. Glad to hear you're feeling better. Good luck with the job application!

Fortunately for me, my workplace is slow. I threw in the towel yesterday and called in sick. After 22 hrs sleeping out of the last 36, I'm feeling almost human. It's quite odd- I'm seldom so wide awake without being heavily caffinated!

[joecoustic.livejournal.com]

Well, when I'm driving coldness works better than warmth whether blowing on me or drinking. Sometimes eating helps especially crunchy - and digesting it keeps your body feeling active sometimes.

Also listening to something I either know well enough to sing along with or find interesting enough to pay attention too. This can be more and more difficult with depending on how tired I am but with a conscious effort it can help.

I'm not sure how much of this you can do at work....

Yeah, I enjoy the silly slaphappy feeling much more than the alternatives too :).

Hope you get more useful rest tonight.

[joecoustic.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, and multitasking (or just switching to another thing for a while) can be helpful. Needing to focus on a new problem every so often can wake you up again.

[joyeuse13.livejournal.com]

I hope I can walk THROUGH the door with the hot tea next time...

That's a definite first step, but *opening* the door first would work much better. ;)

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

More fun this way, if it works!

[celticdragonfly.livejournal.com]

Sleep would really be good.

I do find, however, that food can substitute for sleep to some extent - although yeah, the earlier commenter is right about protein over carbs. And a good shower can help substitute for sleep a bit.

But getting some sleep sounds best.

[maedbh7.livejournal.com]

Aerobic exercise. Initially wakes you up from the adrenalin, then knocks you out from the exertion. And it's Good For You! :) -H...

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

That's a thought. It's hard to pull off at work, but maybe over lunch next time.