I’ve always been unorthodox with regards to my sleeping habits. I tend to stay awake post-call to study, complete chores, and pursue hobbies. After staying awake for 36+ hours, I fall asleep that night with all of my work done. On “regular nights”, I sleep 4-6 hours, caffeinate/hydrate in the morning, and I’m good to go for the day!
Yesterday was very different. I wasn’t on call or post-call. I wasn’t violating duty hours. It was a long day, and a sleep debt that had slowly been accumulating for the last week ultimately caught up with me.
I literally got home, turned on the air conditioner, dropped my bag on the floor, jumped on the couch, and fell asleep – still in scrubs, not bothering to eat dinner, not even setting my phone alarm for work this morning.
It was pure exhaustion… plain and simple.
I woke up much later than normal this morning (thank you, internal time clock), but still made it to Grand Rounds.
I’m just hoping I never have that experience again. 😯
Know the feeling… Sleeping’s a blessing
Absolutely! That was such a rough day. 🙁