fbpx
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Sign up for Free Newsletter
  • Print Edition
    • Get Home Delivery
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Customer Support
    • Submit A News Tip
    • Where’s My Paper?
  • Manage HV1 Account
Hudson Valley One
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Log In
No Result
View All Result
Hudson Valley One
No Result
View All Result

Second sleep

by Susan Barnett
July 6, 2020
in Village Voices
1
New Paltz seeks feedback on later start times for school day

(Photo by Dion Ogust)

I never used to have any trouble sleeping.

For most of my life, I was one of those lucky people who drifted off to sleep, slept through the night, and woke up early, refreshed and ready for a new day.

That’s still true half the time. But only half the time. If I sleep well one night, the following night I either lie awake, unable to get to sleep. Or, like tonight, I sleep for a little while, then wake up a couple of hours later, knowing there’s no point in pretending. I’m going to be up for awhile.

There’s nothing wrong. It’s just become normal for me.

I’ve been fascinated with studies indicating that historically, people used to sleep in two shifts. There are references to rural people, before electricity made productivity after dark possible, going to bed early, then waking, perhaps going visiting to neighbors, then returning home to sleep again until sunrise.  They called it first and second sleep.

There are even scientific articles suggesting that two sleep periods per night are actually more natural and, perhaps, better.  I can’t say it’s better, in my experience. But it’s not horrible.

On the nights I find myself awake between around midnight and two o’clock, I do what modern people do. I open up my laptop, I read emails.

I have learned it is unwise to read the news or go on social media. That’s going to keep me up a lot longer. Sometimes, like tonight, I write.

I used to be upset that I was awake, that I couldn’t relax and drift off again. I’ve grown accustomed to it now. It’s just what happens.

Sometimes, when I go downstairs, it’s cold. But tonight there’s a warm breeze blowing in the window. Violet the dog has followed me, and she lies at my feet in the dim light cast by an old lamp and the computer screen. She is good company as I wait for second sleep.

Read more installments of Village Voices by Susan Barnett.

Tags: Susan Barnett Village Voices
Thank you for reading Hudson Valley One. We rely on your support to continue providing local, substantive news. Please check out our subscription options to keep local journalism alive in the Hudson Valley.
- Geddy Sveikauskas, Publisher
Previous Post

Blue Impala on Father’s Day

Next Post

Seller’s market for real estate

Susan Barnett

Related Posts

Village Voices are on hold
Village Voices

Village Voices are on hold

November 17, 2020
A liberal education
Village Voices

Keeping it all together

August 24, 2020
Writing about oneself
Village Voices

I need a day off

August 24, 2020
Saugerties initiative combating addiction and suicide adds more events
Village Voices

Time travel

August 24, 2020
Where to buy face masks locally
Village Voices

A story of three states

September 2, 2020
The kids talk politics
Village Voices

Stories on the ballot

August 23, 2020
Next Post
Seller’s market for real estate

Seller’s market for real estate

Please login to join discussion

Trending News

  • Local therapists provide uninterrupted free care to foster-care kids 2.7k views
  • Eating order executed in New Paltz 1k views
  • Uproar in New Paltz over plan to abandon green electricity 868 views
  • Village of Saugerties planners hold public hearing for Dragon Inn 649 views
  • Hapag Kainan in Highland offers Filipino culinary delights 586 views







Latest HV1 Podcast

Weather

Kingston
◉
55°
Mostly Cloudy
5:27am8:18pm EDT
Feels like: 54°F
Wind: 5mph NNE
Humidity: 61%
Pressure: 30.3"Hg
UV index: 0
WedThuFri
77/50°F
73/61°F
81/63°F
Weather forecast Kingston, New York ▸

Ulster County COVID-19 Active Cases

Subscribe

Independent. Local. Substantive. Subscribe now.

  • Subscribe & Support
  • Sign up for Free Newsletter
  • Print Edition
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
  • Manage HV1 Account

© 2022 Ulster Publishing

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Contact Us
    • Customer Support
    • Advertise
    • Submit A News Tip
  • Print Edition
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
    • Where’s My Paper
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Log In

© 2022 Ulster Publishing