Sleep Quirks.
In an earlier entry, I discussed spooning and sleeping close, noting that I have a few sleep quirks. Here we go.
1. I don’t like used air. If someone is breathing out near my face where I am breathing in…I don’t like it. It’s used air.
2. I don’t like warm air. I don’t get how some people can sleep under covers or with their head buried in a neck. Warm air feels like used air.
3. I don’t like to be tilted. Man, I hate being tilted. I can’t take a bed that sags in the middle. I have a memory foam mattress specifically to avoid the issue of tilting. Spooning doesn’t cause tilting on this kind of mattress. If someone sits right next to me on a couch and that causes me to tilt…I move. I do not like to be tilted.
4. Don’t touch that spot on my neck. Women often put their hand on my collarbone or shoulder. I like that. A lot, in fact. But if a finger strays toward my throat…I have to move it. I don’t know why but it makes me feel like I’m choking. Shirts never make me feel this way, even a turtleneck. But a hand on the front, base of my neck makes me shudder.
5. I turn my head to the right. If I turn it all the way to the left, I feel like I can’t quite breathe. A little to the left is fine.
I’m sure there are probably more but those are probably the oddest and I don’t think they’re terribly odd. Come on. Fess up - what’re yours?
[Edited to add: After reading about some of your sleep quirks, I'm afraid I'm going to get them. Like a contagious disease.]
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Just a random attorney writing about daily life with Little Filthy, my rotten dog.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:29 am
I can’t sleep face-to-case either! I feel like the air I’m breathing has alreading been robbed of all its oxygen by my bedfellow, and I start to panic and feel like I’m suffocating.
I have a bladder the size of a pea and will always need to get up at least once and go to the bathroom. Carey hates this.
I have reocurring vivid zombie nightmares, and sometimes I will bolt awake and then have to check and make sure that my bedfellow has not transformed into a flesh-eating kill machine.
I can’t CAN’T have the covers tucked. It squishes my feet. In the summer I like to sleep with my feet outside the blankets; in the winter the blankets are gently draped over them.
I hate wearing underwear to bed, but I like wearing a sports bra. Nobody else knows this (firsthand, anyway) because sleeping in just a sports bra looks friggin’ ridiculous, and I only do it when I’m alone.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:31 am
I have to sleep on the right side of the bed. If I don’t, I wake up with a terrible earache. I cannot explain it, but it happens every time, even in different beds.
Also I have to have a foot sticking out of the covers or I feel trapped.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Alright, dish time - big or little spoon.
I cannot stand recycled air. Eeek!!!!! It’s freaking me out just SITTING here and THINKING about it.
Also, I cannot hold with such nonsense as sheet hogging. No. I cannot.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:15 am
- never EVER even think about hot-boxing/dutch oven/covered wagon’ing me. i won’t pause to cut a b*tch if this happens.
- don’t like to be breathed on. it kind of grosses me out.
- i don’t like it when there’s a hand resting on my stomach. makes me want to pee.
- and ditto to Erin - i always have a foot sticking out of the covers too!
July 24th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I agree with 1, 2 and 3. My #4 spot is my belly. Just don’t touch it. I don’t care if you wrap your arms around my waist, chest, legs, just don’t touch the belly. It makes me feel fat. Oh - and I’m also terrified of ghosts/demons/devils/etc. I can’t have any part of me hanging off the bed. Ever since that scene in the Sixth Sense where the ghost reaches our from under the bed and grab’s the kid’s foot. It just freaks me out.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:55 am
See - I can’t even use correct grammar/spelling when I’m thinking about that ghost. **chills**
July 24th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
i’m similar to erin… when i sleep, i have to be laying on my stomach with my head turned to the left, with my left leg drawn up to my side (kind of like an extreme version of the captain morgan pose, only laying down). and my left leg has to be out of the covers from mid thigh down, with my foot hanging off the bed.
also, rub my butt, and i will be asleep in 2.4 seconds exactly.
July 24th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I hate, hate, HATE used air. I don’t mind being breathed on, but if I feel like the breathing on is happening in the vicinity of my personal air intake area, I will move. Or you will.
I’m with you on the warm air thing as well. I need to breathe fresh air. Of my very own.
I have to be covered with at least a sheet, preferably a sheet and a blanket. Thank God for air conditioning.
I wear pajamas when my husband isn’t home. Yeah, sturdy defense in case of intruders, I know. But still.
TxMommy, I’m with you on the belly thing. No playing with the jiggly bits.
Geez, this is only the overnight freak show. I feel *so* normal now, thanks.
July 24th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I have all but one of your quirks: I don’t like to be touched at all when I’m sleeping, so even the shoulder thing is a no-go.
Also, I wake up atleast 20 times a night, have to have a cool pillow, and the room must be icy cold for me to sleep comfortably. I also talk in my sleep, to the cat, apparently.
July 24th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I prefer to have a window open even into the winter. Must be covered with something…a sheet is ok. The edges of the bedding can not be tucked in as I like to be able to put my foot out of the side. Closet door must be closed or I freak out in the middle of the night thinking my husband’s clothing is actually a man in the closet. I like a little bit of pre sleep cuddling but when it is time to actually sleep I don’t like to be touched. I also like to have a fan going for white noise or I hear every little house sound and will send my sleeping husband out to make sure no one is breaking in… Maybe the white noise thing should be his sleep quirk ;). Let’s not even start on pillows lol.
July 24th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
I love you RE, really I do. But you are a retard.
I admit, however, to MUST having my bathroom door in my bedroom OPEN. I do not know why this is. It must be open. Must. Be.
July 24th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I never realized it until a college roommate pointed it out- in each place I have ever lived, the foot of the bed is always facing the door. I feel to vulnerable with my head near the room entrance.
July 24th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I’ll share mine in person
Way too many to go into detail right now!
You’ve been warned!
July 25th, 2008 at 12:40 am
That whole hand on the neck thing is a total phobia of mine. I think I must have been strangled in a past life…
July 25th, 2008 at 11:37 am
my sleep quirk is this: when i get into bed, i pass out, instantly and sleep like a rock. nothing bothers me: not talking or coughing, nor warm or cold or dirty sheets, nor other persons shifting of weight, nor the cat, nor thunderstorms or wind, nor chicago earthquakes (TRUE story). if something happens to bother me, i fix it, usually while still sleeping. i like sleep. i could sleep forever. sleep, mmm.
July 25th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
1, 2 and 4 - SAME THING HERE!! As for 1 and 2 I have a hard time sleeping face to face or facing Unofficial.
My quirks:
- I have to put one leg over my body (like a stretch) to crack my back. I have to do both sides before I can fall asleep.
- I often have to crack my neck as well before I can fall asleep.
- I start my sleeping on my left side and then within a minute or two flip over to my right.
- I love being cuddled and spooned but not for a significant period of time.
- I love my body pillow. But… I really do not like to use a human for the same thing… does that make sense? My body pillow is squishy and I can take it with me as I rollover… it would be difficult to flip around like that with Unofficial. Haha.
- I have extremely vivid dreams on an almost nightly basis. So much so that I’ve woken up and been confused as to the reality of some of them.
- Most nights I wear earplugs when I go to sleep.
July 25th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
PS - and you can put your hands wherever you want: i will like it
July 26th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Heather -
Ahhh, so I am not the only one who can’t do the face to face. You described the sensation perfectly. The zombie nightmares, however, are very unusual!
Okay, the sports bra thing is hilarious. I’ve never heard of that before. I tried to picture that (in as least offensive way as possible!) and it just makes me laugh. (No offense!)
July 26th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Erin - Interesting! I wonder why that gives you an earache?!
I sometimes sleep with a foot outside the covers because I feel like it somehow keeps my body temperature in check.
July 26th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Vittoria - Do you hog the sheets? Recycled air is *shudder*…not good.
July 26th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Lily - The hand on the stomach bothers you that much only because of the peeing thing? Seems like you’re not the only one with an issue about stomach touching but that’s a new reason I hadn’t heard before.
July 26th, 2008 at 9:58 am
TxMommy - Hi there! Thank you for the comment.
The belly thing bothers you that much?
I also don’t like body parts hanging off of the bed though it wasn’t due to any thought of ghosts or demons. It just makes me feel like…an unlocked door, if that makes sense.
July 26th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Jennie - The loved the reference to the Captain Morgan pose. When I was in Europe, it was a standing joke that I had people take a picture of me with someone else doing that pose.
Butt rubbing as sleep inducement! I like it.
July 26th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Hi there, KT! What are your day time quirks?
I, too, like at least a sheet. I don’t like sleeping completely exposed because I like to sleep in chilly air.
July 26th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Bird Clan Diva - No touching at all, eh? I like to sleep on my back with woman’s leg draped over mine, head on my shoulder, hand on my shoulder and my arm around her. But I wiggle and shift a lot which probably disturbs her.
And YES on the ice cold room and cool pillow. I keep my air at 70 degrees in the summer.
July 26th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Colleen - Hi there! I love to have a window cracked in the winter because I love the cold, fresh air. And I close my closet doors and dresser drawers much be closed fully before I go to bed.
Are you a cold pillow person? I dated a girl who had to have a fan going if she was to sleep. I can sleep in dead silence.
July 26th, 2008 at 10:08 am
QTMama - hello, gorgeous. I love that I have taught you some new terminology…but I didn’t realize you were on a date when I did it. Heh. Naaace.
Hm, are you just worried that someone might be hiding in the bathroom? Perhaps I’ll come jump out of your bathroom.
July 26th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Bev - Oh man, that’s quite a setup. That mewing thing, though, I HAVE to hear about. I want to hear Chris mimic the sound.
July 26th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Kez - YES. My grandmother is the same way. My mom speculated that we’d been strangled in a past life, too. We’re weirdos.
July 26th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Janet Reno -
Of COURSE you sleep like this. It makes perfect sense. OF COURSE you just SLEEP and have NO ISSUES.
And of course you’re okay with the handsy man hands. It all just makes perfect sense.
*laugh* Hope to see you soon, trouble.
July 26th, 2008 at 10:11 am
SnarkyRunner - Instigator and I talked about you last night. You two would cause a lot of trouble if you met.
What’s the neck cracking? Is that good for you? Do you dream about people you know? I never really do.
I wear earplugs in my office when I need to concentrate fully on something but I’m not sure I could sleep in them. Do you use an alarm clock? Or is it necessary to block out roomie?
July 26th, 2008 at 10:25 am
RE - I think it would be GREAT if Instigator and I met… and yes, lots of trouble… tee hee…
Eh, I just have to pop my neck is all, I think it’s fine for me. No major issues thus far. I dream of people I know, people I’ve seen throughout the day and don’t know and other randoms. It’s funny.
I have a big bottle of the orange little guys. I do use an alarm, and I can hear it very well through the plugs. They really only block out constant background noise and some heavy walking from my owner upstairs or whatever Roomie is doing to keep me up. I’ve been wearing them for a few years though. I can’t sleep with noise. Any strong out of nowhere sound still breaks through the ear plugs though, so I’ll never get caught in a fire or not hear my alarm.
July 26th, 2008 at 10:46 am
My day time quirks? I’ll show you mine if you show me yours…
Let’s see…the shirts in my closet are organized chromatically, and then by type (casual to dressy).
The toilet paper must come over the top of the roll.
All the money in my wallet must face the same direction, and it can’t be all crinkly and have weird folded corners.
I do not deal with anything that has a gross factor of more than 3 or more than 4 legs. I’m not sure if that’s really a ‘quirk’ so much as a survival tactic.
My cat is solid black because I don’t like prints.
Just kidding about that last one…I’m just seeing if you’re still awake.
July 26th, 2008 at 10:56 am
KT - *laugh* Yes, still awake. I did grin at the solid colored cat.
My shirts are in my closet chromatically, as well. And I don’t wear prints. Almost always solid colors. Agree on the toilet paper. And I’m not into insects.
See, you aren’t too weird! Either that or we both are.
July 26th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I’ll take ‘Both Weird’ for $400, Alex.
July 27th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
I must be facing the door. I always sleep on my right side, so the bed MUST be positioned so that I can sleep on my right side and face the door, the door can be open or closed…as long as I can look at it.
Clean sheets every four days…five max. I will NOT sleep on dirty sheets - ever. I refuse to purchase anything less than 600 thread count and currently use 1000 thread count. If they have pills of any kind they go to the Goodwill. Never flannel…never ever ever. I would rather just not sleep. Three blanket minimum - I like a lot of weight on top of me while I sleep, so a heavy comforter/quilt is ideal.
Other than that, I have to have three regular pillows and one 5 foot body pillow. I must sleep nude, And… don’t touch me.
No rubbing, snuggling, kissing… nada.
July 27th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Tiffany - What about in hotels? Do you have to be able to *see* the door? or just be facing it?
I hate flannel sheets, too. I can’t stand that fuzzy warmth.
You know what? You’re sort of high maintenance.
*duck*
July 28th, 2008 at 3:30 am
In a hotel I’m usually on vacay - so that means I’ve probably been drinking before sleepy time…or if it’s the mister and I sans children then we are in lovely post coital bliss and I’m less picky. LOL…
I do still have to sleep on whatever side is closest to the door - and I always order up extra pillows… and (don’t laugh) I bring a small bottle of my favorite linen spray and I spray all the bedding and let it rest while I shower so it smells like home when I climb into bed.
So uh… ya… no “sort of” about it. I’m high maintenance, but I’m worth it
At least that’s what the mister says.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:22 am
For years I could only sleep comfortably in a bed that was against the wall, and I had to sleep with my back to the wall. Being out in the middle of the room made me feel too vulnerable, like something could sneak up behind me.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Shieldmaiden - I can understand sleeping with your back to the wall. Actually, it’s comfortable that way - like sleeping on a couch. Just makes it difficult to make the bed.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:44 am
In order for me to fall asleep, my feet must be moving. Constantly.
I also cannot sleep with any fingers hanging over the edge of the bed for fear that a witch will bite them off. On the flipside, toes hanging over are okay. I figure she doesn’t like feet all that much.
July 29th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
1. Until just a couple of years back I needed to sleep with the covers all tucked around me. I think I was affraid that “el cucuy” (Mexican “boogy man”) would grab me by the feet and pull me out of bed.
Now I need to sleep with my feet out of the covers if it is warm, or inside the covers but with plenty of leg room if it’s cool. I guess I finally got over my grandmother telling me the “cucuy” would come and get me if I was not a good girl and went to sleep when I was supposed told.
2. I often sleep with a hand resting on my cheek or chin…and it’s normally my left hand.
3. I sleep with at least one arm extended and facing the edge of the bed.
4. I need two to three pillows, one between my legs (that normally ends up on the floor), one on my side so I can hug during my sleep and the one I rest my head on….Pillow heaven
5. I cannot sleep with a shirt on. I recently trained myself to sleep with a tank top, but sometimes it still feels uncomfortable. I remember tearing my shirt off while sleeping in the same bed as a friend. I think finding me laying half naked the next morning came as a bit of a surprise.
6. I absolutely MUST change my sheets every weekend. Love love the feel of clean sheets.
July 29th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Dayla - I once dated a girl who rubbed her feet together prior to sleeping. Interesting!
I actually heard that witches prefer toes.
July 29th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Besos - Good God, that’s quite a story by your grandmother.
Hmm, I’m trying to think if I’ve noticed that hand thing touching your cheek or chin. That’s interesting.
The rest of your habits….sound familiar.