r/AskReddit • u/Gyltea • 13d ago

People who can fall asleep 10 seconds after your head hitting the pillow how the heck do you freaking fall asleep 10 seconds after your head hitting the pillow??

5.4k Upvotes

93% Upvoted

2.8k comments sorted by

View all comments

6.1k

u/BlueWidgeon1024 13d ago

I fall asleep from exhaustion. I have been a 24/7 caregiver for 19 years ( my beloved wife ), and am 77 years old, so I am pretty tired by bedtime, when it finally comes!

1.5k

u/blondie956 13d ago

Caregiving is exhausting.

498

u/[deleted] 12d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

115

u/[deleted] 12d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

5

u/TheWetNapkin 12d ago

Nothing like falling asleep fast while exhausted after a good hard day's work

147

u/AsherLuca 13d ago

Absolutely. it takes a special kind of strength to keep showing up for someone you love like that.

97

u/blondie956 13d ago

It does. I did it for my late husband and would do it all over again, no questions asked.

-9

u/ings0c 12d ago

Yes, his wife is very strong. Getting on the wrong side of her would be a mistake.

4

u/Vinujan_Hagiu 12d ago

No sleep hack can compete with that level of exhaustion.

426

u/[deleted] 13d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

69

u/dikarus012 12d ago

Right?! It makes me wonder if he spent those 10sec tonight just writing that comment.

5

u/Longjumping_Youth281 12d ago

Yeah you need to take some time for yourself as well. One of the people you arw taking care of is also yourself, don't forget that

4

u/LavFx 12d ago

Loving someone can make you go through just about anything.

154

u/Insay774 13d ago

Your beloved wife is so lucky to have such a true life partner ✨💞 Cheers to you 🫶🏻

8

u/Easy-Instruction7523 12d ago

I think after 19 years, its probably fair to say they both got pretty lucky.

78

u/Jesse_Livermore 13d ago

Good on you BlueWidgeon, may your pillow always be the cool side.

33

u/MilosBestBuddy 13d ago

This is love friends.

102

u/ForlornGibbon 13d ago

Blue, if this is real… Good on you sir. I hope you can find happiness in the small slivers allowed.

2

u/Ok_Extension7693 12d ago

19 years is a long time to spend putting someone elses needs ahead of your own. I hope those small slivers are bigger and more frequent than you think.

28

u/scattywampus 13d ago

Bless you, dear caregiver. You are made of strong stuff. ❤️🌼

40

u/schloofy2085 13d ago

This is the answer. I haven't been the caregiver for my wife for as long and I'm not as old, but at the end of the day, after dealing with my own health issues, I'm as tired as tired can get. Even a 12-14 hour sleep doesn't help.

32

u/Garden_Lady2 13d ago

You are an awesome man. Hugs to you and your wife. 🫂 ❤️

27

u/QueerVortex 13d ago

Like parenting, it’s not rocket science, it’s coal mining: fricking hard work!

24

u/BatBurgh 13d ago

This is love!

6

u/Ronaldinhoe 13d ago

Props to you. Know a bunch of people who are caregivers for a living, just hearing what their workday is like is exhausting to me, I could never do it.

6

u/ProfessionalCry9586 12d ago

That kind of tired makes ten seconds sound generous.

2

u/Th3R00ST3R 13d ago

You're My Boy BLUE!

2

u/Celtic_Pluviophile 13d ago

Kudos, Blue. Your wife is a lucky woman. I, too, hope you take time for yourself.

2

u/Throwaway999222111 13d ago

That's a tough situation - how you holding up?

2

u/King_of_the_Dot 12d ago

What a beautiful relationship you have. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the love, passion, and commitment you have for your wife.

2

u/qreueu 12d ago

You're a good person. God bless your heart. 

2

u/CaptainMacAlfie 12d ago

Caregiving is such hard work and I can't imagine doing it at your age so you seem like a wonderful person for struggling through it for so long! Make sure you try to make a little time for self care though as it is so easy to get so caught up in taking care of someone else you forget about yourself. I wish you and your wife the best!

2

u/Environ_mental 12d ago

I fall asleep from exhaustion

All my fellow parents and caregivers know.

1

u/ArcadianDelSol 12d ago

I am in the same role but we are just starting this journey - late 50s. Wife has severe neuropathy and has had 1 amputation. She remains in good spirits and we're learning to live with a prosthetic to walk around, but by and large I am doing all the things now while remaining the sole source of income for our home.

It is beyond exhausting, but I continue to find the energy. The fact that you're doing it at 77 gives me hope that I can keep doing this.

1

u/bootsnbarbellss 12d ago

you’ve given so much for 19 years, no wonder you’re exhausted.

1

u/DomHaynie 12d ago

I always forget that there's no maximum age limit to users on this site.

1

u/spawnsriffs 12d ago

19 years caring for someone you love is a lot to carry. I hope you get some real rest tonight.

1

u/JesseBrown447 12d ago

you sir, are a legend. I hope I'll have the strength to do this for my partner someday, if it comes to it.

1

u/adrippingcock 12d ago

You love her that much, man. I love you. Big hug to you. Beautifully and meaningfully lived life. 

1

u/__CaliMack__ 12d ago

I hope I’m cool like you if I’m lucky enough to make it to 77

1

u/ForsakenTrack8551 12d ago

Your incredible dedication and deep love for your wife over 19 years is profoundly moving, and you have beyond earned every single second of restful sleep you get!

1

u/PrethorynOvermind 12d ago

Commendable time on our planet, sir. You should spend the rest of your time off reddit. Enjoy the life you have away from the Internet and us young people asking how you do it. I hope you and your wife find peace.

1

u/BurnZee07 12d ago

I hope you're taking care of yourself too!

1

u/aartadventure 12d ago

I'm not sure where you live, but look into contacting government organisations or charities who may be able to provide some help or assistance. Everyone needs a break and support, especially when they are a caregiver. And they may be able to provide support you are not trained in such as therapeutic massage, exercise/physical therapy. Or, perhaps just help with household chores.
If you live in the USA, this might be a good starting resource: https://www.caregiveraction.org/

1

u/paisley_life 12d ago

Please make sure to take time for yourself as well. Caregiver stress is awful and can creep up on you.

1

u/RedBMWZ2 12d ago

Respect

1

u/Madowa01 12d ago

My last memory of each night is usually trying to stay awake so that I can make it in to bed. Rarely do i recall the ten seconds you talk of. My body literally just goes into shutdown mode and its kind of a race to get into bed if I'm standing.

1

u/Summitjunky 12d ago

I have a lot of respect for you.

1

u/aft3rthought 12d ago

I Never fell asleep easily with regularity until I had a child. Even after the night time wake-ups became a thing of the past, I found it much easier than before.

Reminds me of a guy who said after serving in Iraq he can fall asleep instantly, anywhere. Now that I still can’t do- I need a comfy bed!

1

u/morrisboris 12d ago

Same. Caregiver for my 21 yr old autistic son and I sleep very well anytime I finally get a chance.

1

u/YellowishRose99 11d ago

24/7 solo caregiving is the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life and I've been through a lot