Sleeping Like a Baby
I have become accustomed to getting up multiple times a night to empty my bladder. Or so I thought that was why I was waking up. But maybe not.
Two times within the past week, I drank a cup of one of these two caffeinated teas at about 5:00 in the evening with the thought it might help me stay awake to work on the sewing projects that never end.
In both cases the caffeine kicked in slowly and not only allowed me to stay up late, but made me feel somewhat happier.
In both cases I then slept like a baby for as much as 7 hours at a stretch. Wow! I had forgotten what that felt like.
So I’m wondering what it is in these teas that has this wonderful unexpected side-effect?
I was out to dinner with a friend tonight. I had a cup of Earl Grey with my meal. It will be interesting to see if it’s just any tea or the particular brand I have at home.
Who knew that caffeine could actually promote sleep?
posted by Barbara at 10:27 PM
10 Comments:
Well, I have been drinking decaf tea at night, sleeping in front of the TV then sleeping fitfully, getting up to pee, tossing and turning all night. Maybe I'll give the caffeine tea a shot. Couldn't be worse than what I'm doing now.
the caffeine idea sounds all upside down! I really love Earl Grey tea, and am convinced it has special powers!!
I've been offline for so long, I'm busy catching up on all your news (haven't finished yet!) great that you have a nice new iPad, and I was very interested to read your thoughts on electronic book reading!
It must not be just any Earl Grey. Last night I was back to my old 3-hour pattern. I'll give "The Republic of Tea" varieties another shot before deciding if this is all bunk!
Over the past year or so, I've been discovering the wonders of fresh, loose tea. Although I love coffee, I agree with you that tea imparts a certain satisfaction that coffee can't touch. If you haven't been there, check out adagio.com. I've been quite happy with all of the teas I've purchased there!
-Kevin
Kevin -- What a great tea site! I would be interested to know what you have tried and liked. Even if drinking tea doesn't cure my sleep pattern, it seems like such a civilized thing to do and it makes me feel good while I'm awake.
When I hear from you, I realize we are long overdue for a rendez-vous at Taqueria Poblano or The Birchmere, with or without your NYC friend who seems to be fully occupied in NJ.
Yes, I've been thinking it'd be nice the same thing... even if Steve is otherwise occupied!
Here's the rundown of teas I've bought (or sampled):
Black: Irish Breakfast (nice and strong), Vanilla (a favorite), and Earl Grey Bravo (fantastic if you like EG);
Oolong: Jasmine No 9 (very good and a lot cheaper than the overpowering 12);
White: Cucumber (interesting, probably better as iced tea) and Silver Needle (didn't do much for me);
Herbal: Rooibos Vanilla (a favorite, and makes fantastic iced tea) and Chamomile (late nice tea of choice).
What I like about Adagio is that you can buy samples that are generous and cheap.
Kevin -- I've always had a thing for samples. Probably why I like dim-sum...
Oh, fine, leave me out! See if I care! :)
Seriously, maybe the change in your sleep patterns is because the tea keeps you up and alert a bit later, which then allows you to sleep more soundly through the night? Do you get drowsy early otherwise? If you get sleepy too early it could cause you to sleep fitfully or wake too early.
I agree with Steve and would add that not only were you alert later, when you did go to bed, you were more relaxed since you'd made progress on your sewing projects.
Seven hours of sleep? All at once?! I'm impressed and envious and crazy happy for you. Of course, I might just be crazy, but the happy for you part's a very good thing.
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