12 Comments
User's avatar
Steph Smith's avatar

Ruth! I read this laughing because I had no idea this insomnia adventure was going on whilst I was snoring through the best nights sleep I have had in weeks down the hall.

I love that my exhibition was part of the 2.59am spiral of thoughts along with Arsenal Women and the Winter Olympics! How great that you were able to turn your sleeplessness into something useful, honest and funny. I will remember this next time my brain is on a spiral at 4am.

It was such a great trip even if only for 48 hours.

Steph x

Ruth Sturkey's avatar

🤣I love that you slept like a baby and i was wired!! Yes, next time you spiral, get those brushes out luv...just don't make a habit of it :-)

It was a lovely trip, short and sweet treats are the best i reckon...

Rx

Amanda Mayes's avatar

Caffeine after midday and alcohol are usually my downfall here. Some lessons just need regularly relearning!

My go to is counting from 200 backwards along with slow breathing. It is truly as boring as it sounds but requires enough concentration to calm the mind and stop it going off in a million different directions.

I love that you are so free and living in the moment to be able to do these things Ruth. What a gift!

Ruth Sturkey's avatar

Oh I so agree re caffeine and alcohol Amanda! My whoop recovery is slaughtered by the latter…and still I try 🤣

Love that super boring pro-sleep tip. I can see how it would work…just tricky enough to have to concentrate but not too hard to over stimulate. Thank you!

As for being free and living in the moment, I certainly count my blessings. And still need to remind myself from time to time that even when I can ‘feel’ busy, it’s all of my doing and in my gift to change. That’s bloody lucky! X

Louise Oliver's avatar

Hi Ruth, I am a good sleeper, high sleep score !! Goodness what did we do before apple watches!

I recently had a night in a hotel room in Saumur (on our way back from Portugal), couldn't sleep, the more I thought about it the worse it got, no air in room, time seemed to last forever!! A breath of fresh air out of the window looking at the Chateau helped ! Its perhaps because we have so many adventures, our minds are full of planning re-living etc... Sleep well Ruth ! x

Ruth Sturkey's avatar

🤣 love that adventure reframing Louise. And top sleep tip too! Yes I’m normally a good sleeper so when it hits it’s all a tad odd. I think hotel rooms have a lot to answer for !

Hope you are well and our paths cross soon x

Dave's avatar

It’s nearly always eating the wrong stuff at the wrong time for me.

That and a room that’s too warm.

I admire your ability to write a prose at 3am though. Me? Audiobook on under the pillow, volume 1. Curiously I find books about the 2008 financial crises quickly send me back to sleep. Make of that what you will!!

Ruth Sturkey's avatar

Oh yes, red meat, red wine and sugary puddings do it for me Dave!

Like the sound of an audio book under the pillow. Note to self!

Can’t think why books on the 2008 financial crisis might induce 💤 …:-)

Susan Kahn's avatar

Lovely to think of you supporting Steph and seeing her amazing art work. One night - ok - you’ll bounce back! Thanks for sharing the thoughts x

Ruth Sturkey's avatar

It was such a treat to be able to support Steph Susan. We also had a fun time. Yep, one night = doable!

Hope you are well x

evelyn macritchie's avatar

Oh Ruth, it's a bugger when it hits. And that thing when you are tired... I hate that. However, what to do. I never sleep when I go to a hotel these days. Is it the strange bed? Is it the room that's too hot? Is it the wrong outside noise? Who knows!!! I have tried all of the "recommendations" but I have come to the conclusion that it's just my age and I have to just flow with it. If I'm knackered the following day??? That's what dark glasses and another coffee are for🤗

Ruth Sturkey's avatar

🤣 yes Evelyn! All of the above when it comes to hotels…slightly made worse that my room seemingly faced on to the route home from a Belgian ‘party’ street! Flowing with it is definitely the way to go…hope you are well x