I’ve known for years that my depression is affected by the amount of sleep I get on a regular basis. And so I’ve been very careful to always get plenty of sleep–this week no exception.

However, apparently when one is under stress, “regular” amounts of sleep (about 7 to 7 1/2 hours for me) aren’t enough.

Yesterday we went to the gym after work, came home and ate dinner, and then after dinner I stretched out on the sofa to read. And immediately fell asleep. And slept until Michael woke me up to go to bed, where I slept for nine hours more.

That is a lot of sleeping, especially for someone who tries to get plenty of sleep on a normal basis.

So there you are. When you’re under stress, 7 to 8 hours of sleep may well not be enough.

Now if you’ll pardon me, I have to eat breakfast and run to the grocery store.

And then maybe come home for a nap.