Well, I slept 3 hours and feel a little better, not much. I don't normally take naps but was so exhausted.

Amylou, flip flopping shifts will make you feel horrible.

I love naps, and I feel so much more rested after a good 90 minute-ish nap. I take one at least 3 or 4 times a week. I have worked night shifts before, and switching to days really throws a wrench into things and makes it hard to manage.

As long as I get 7 or 8 hours I don't need a nap. Any less than that and I do require a nap. I only ever allow myself to take a 20 minute nap or else I can't sleep that night.

Amy I have heard of a illness like winter SAD but it is called summer SAD. My DH has struggled with winter time depression for years.

He knew a fellow who had the opposite reaction. Whenever it became too sunny and the days were too long he would get depressed. He was actually diagnosed with Summer SAD. He was given a prescription sunblock and prescriptions sunglasses and for some reason that helped him a lot.

https://www.healthline.com/health/summer-SAD-is-all-too-real

I've always been a night owl. In the past naps left me feeling foggier than than pushing through. But then I never expected to pick a hobby in my senior years that entails getting up with the sun. I cannot go to bed early. I will waken in just a few hours and be unable to go back to sleep if I try an earlier bedtime. So now I head to the ranch and after my 4-6 hours there I come home and nap. My commute is about 45 minutes each way so that can make for an 8 hour day. I nap and usually sleep for anywhere from as little as an hour to 2 hours. I do things like grocery shopping at night. I also have to be super organized for the days I have to rise early so I can get out of the house on time. So everything is laid out the night before.

Well, to be fair, I only get really really exhausted and miserable when I have to WORK during daylight hours. I am often up and active during the day when I am off. I have the luxury of really not having to worry about anyone but myself, SO and my pets. I can sleep and be active whenever I want with no consequences to other people. Sometimes I keep the same sleeping schedule when I am off, sometimes I do not if I have lots of things I want to do during the day, like shop or garden or if I have appointments. Its only those day shifts that I have to work that really really rob me of my mojo. That is why its such a mystery to me. I think maybe it is because my "work" routine is thrown off so much. I cannot do on dayshift what I can on nights: walk outside, read with any commitment, listen to music or books because I am not alone and do not wanna bother other people. Or maybe its a psychological thing. Either way, they pay me big time to suffer through and come work on my off days so I will continue to do so as needed because I am a greedy little minion.....who will fight a nap like a cranky toddler and then sleep through the night. Or day, whatever applies.

I've never heard of Summer SAD.

Went to sleep the second time at 4 am, woke up at 9 am. Had my alarm set for 12:30. Oh, well, hope I can make it through the evening shift at work tongiht.

Kaths -- You sound completely *exhausted*! Is your body rebelling? Had a physical recently?

I lie down for 30 - 60 minutes around 2 p.m. and still sleep 8+ hours at night. This started around the time I turned 78. IDK if my later diagnosis of multiple myeloma contributed.

The only issue I know of Chisue is I'm anemic. I should probably make an appointment with my doctor to discuss why my iron level is still so low. I just haven't done it.