Falling Asleep at Weird Times or in Weird Places

I had an MRI today. Despite the noise, I fell asleep. It wasn't until that the little sled started scooting out of the tunnel that I woke with a start. Whoops.

I've also fallen asleep during dental procedures, the most notable a root canal. My dentist was amazed. I guess most patients are too nervous to fall asleep. I blame yoga for my ability to fall asleep in this kind of situation. I just focus on my breathing, clear my mind, and fall asleep.

What I find amazing, though, is that I can't fall asleep at night sometimes. WTF.

How about you?

 

I used to often take naps in my car during my lunch break 10-12 years ago. I was burning the candle too much at both ends, often going to bed at 1AM and getting up at 5:30AM.

I have fallen asleep in an MRI, as you did.

In high school we used to have a warning bell one minute before the end of each class. I specifically remember my Accounting class Junior year our teacher would often give us class time to work on the exercises. I usually finished well before class ended, and would put my head down and nap after that. Many, many times I would wake up to the warning bell, then fall back asleep AND DREAM before the second bell.

Sometimes I'll lay back in the tub during a shower, and I've nodded off a time or two like that.

But in general, I'm not a random sleeper.

 

I rarely fall asleep in cars. Don't tell my husband, but I sometimes pretend to be asleep on long car rides with his parents.

 

Unless I'm completely exhausted, I don't fall asleep in vehicles or public areas.
Too much stimulation.

Then again, I don't need a bed...so I can fall asleep even with a simple jacket under my head on the floor.

 

Nope. I track my sleep pretty religiously using Sleep as Android. I get decent sleep, and I only snore when I have a cold.

I just get really, really relaxed in situations like the MRI/dentist chair, because honestly, what's the other option? Naps are good.

 

I've never had an MRI, but I can fall asleep pretty easily. I won't fall asleep while the dentist is working on me, but if she goes away for a few minutes, I'm out like a light. I've also fallen asleep on the chiropractor's table.

I can easily drift off at a play, reading, or musical performance where I'm looking down at a lighted stage but I'm sitting in the dark, especially if it is a little warm. A few years ago I fell asleep at a John Pizzarelli concert in Boston, and I've dozed with the Chiara String Quartet playing Bartok. And not because I was bored with the music. For some reason, movies don't have the same effect.

When I used to drive across the country from Boston to Kansas I would often stop and snooze for a few minutes at a freeway oasis or gas station. A ten or fifteen minute nap was always refreshing, much more than that and I was loggy for the next hour.

I can sleep in bright sunlight, but noise keeps me awake. The neighbor's barking sheltie drives me bonkers. Of course, they don't seem to notice.

 

I anticipate a good nap this afternoon while visiting the dentist. I have to have three fillings done. So long as they put in blocks, I'll fall asleep, no problem.

 

We took Amtrak from Lincoln to Grand Junction. Cali Zephyr was supposed to leave Lincoln a few minutes after midnight, finally arrived and left at 4:50 am, and I could NOT sleep other than some fitful dozing all the way, finally arriving at 10pm, six hours late.

Hotel shuttle was waiting at the station, and I was out like a light when my head hit the pillow at the Fairfield Inn about fifteen minutes later.

I could have slept through sex, maybe I did, for all I know.