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Staying Awake for an All Night Party:
No, It’s Not a Lock In!
by Mary Z. McGrath, Ph.D.
When was the last time you stayed awake all night? Think, now! Was it a recent sleepless night when you could not decide between buying a one bedroom condo or a two story townhouse? Was it the last week of school and as a teacher you felt overwhelmed with all the loose ends you faced... or if you are a parent the anticipation of switching gears into Presidents’ weekend, wondering how to keep three children busy for four days? Perhaps your most recent memories of staying up all night bring you to the time when, after a weak moment, you volunteered to chaperone a high school lock in.
Some months ago I had the opportunity to stay up all night. I did not hang out all night with a youth group to increase the adult/student ratio. Instead my husband was scheduled for a medical test requiring a night without sleep before the actual procedure. My job in this scenario was to keep him awake until his morning medical appointment. Yes, a stressful endeavor for both of us. No, I did not need “stay awake pills” or overdose on caffeine to do this. I just needed creativity, humor and endurance to pull this off!
Knowing my husband’s inclination towards catnaps and snoozing in front of the TV, I hoped for the best. If you ever volunteer to support someone for a medical “all-nighter” you may want to try some of the following strategies to keep both of you going up to the time you meeting the morning medical staff.
Before the marathon, my husband napped until about 10:00 P.M. He began this “nocturnal day” like any other, with a shower. After dressing we drank hot tea, worked a puzzle, read for a bit and ran through a routine of back exercises.
Next we headed off to an all night restaurant for “breakfast”. We took our time and enjoyed viewing a clientele that we might not have seen when stopping there for a casual supper or Sunday breakfast.
As on any typical day we ran some errands, beginning at an all night grocery store. We easily selected items as we worked our way down deserted aisles. There is some benefit to shopping in the middle of the night, especially if you like to avoid crowds and appreciate a low key commercial atmosphere.
In between stops we listened to a compelling and suspenseful talking book. Quite a contrast to sleepy suburban neighborhood streets!
Home projects came next on the agenda. These included fixing a door and cleaning an office. At this point both of us experienced fatigue and wondered if sunrise would ever come. As busy as we kept ourselves, this night seemed very long!
At around 4:00 A.M. , the call of the first bird broke the nocturnal silence. Not long after that the news carrier dropped the daily paper on our doorstep. We must have been first in the neighborhood to not only retrieve our paper, but also put out the garbage container and recycling bin.
Not wanting to surrender to the impulse to completely crash at this point, we anticipated the dawn while fixing a light bulb. Soon daybreak provided us with just enough natural light to watch five migrating warblers find breakfast. After the thrill of this atypical birding windfall, we returned to the same restaurant for a second breakfast. A good meal provided enough energy for the last lap of our endurance run, the drive to the hospital.
A technician waited to wire my husband with medical equipment. Once connected, he followed directions, falling asleep without any resistance. Me? I headed to the hospital cafeteria for more food and some down time to recharge my batteries. After all I had to remain alert for the drive home. Was our adventure as much fun as a lock in? Almost!
Mary Z. McGrath, Ph.D. works with schools, parents and organizations who support wellness and the family’s potential. She is the author of Teachers Today: A Guide to Surviving Creatively (Corwin Press), a member of the National Speakers Association and speaks regionally through her business, Reflections Resources Ltd.
E-mail: info@maryzmcgrath.com
Website: http://www.maryzmcgrath.com
Ph: 952-894-7707
Fax: 952-890-3229.
As seen in Stressfree Living Magazine, Feb 2004. Article cannot be reproduced without written permission from Stressfree Living Magazine.
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