Peter – Interview 19
Peter sometimes finds it difficult to get to sleep and stay asleep because of a shoulder injury and lower back pain. He only very occasionally dozes off during the day, but sometimes might if he has been active, or has gone for a long run. Peter feels that there are times in his life when he has more to worry about, and this will most likely affect how he sleeps.
A typical night’s sleep for Peter means going to bed at about 11 o;clock and waking up at 6 to 6.30 am and feels he usually gets about 7 to 7 ½ hours; sleep a night. He usually stays in bed until after the 8 o;clock news, when he will get ready for the day ahead. However, Peter sometimes finds that his sleep is disturbed by pain from arthritis, and has to get up and take a painkiller. He may then stay up and flip through the television channels for up to an hour, until he feels tired enough to go back to bed and try sleeping again.
Whilst he doesn’t currently fall asleep during the day very often, Peter anticipates that may happen more frequently as he gets older. He also doesn’t like falling asleep in the day because he feels tired when he wakes up and does not think it does him any good. Peter dislikes spending too much time in bed, and doesn’t like being in bed during the daytime.
Peter likes to keep fit by running and working in his garden. He is also undertaking an Open University degree which he finds stimulating and challenging.