At age 62, I can only sleep about five hours per night. That leaves me refreshed and seems to be "normal" these days, but I used to get around eight hours sleep when I was younger.

Usually that's not an issue ---- I simply keep myself busy until I'm drowsy and then go to bed.

However, it is an issue when I'm trying to fit in to the sleeping schedules of normal groups. Tossing and turning for hours is UNPLEASANT.

Further, I was out backpacking over the holiday. It get dark about 8PM, and I got tire3d of tossing and turning in the dark on hard ground until about 1 AM before I could get to sleep. That was after doing a six mile hike involving 1700 feet of elevation gain and 400 feet of elevation loss, so I'd had a day that did tire me out.

I don't want to take pills. Anyone have any bright ideas?


Seattle Pioneer