The only close-call traffic accidents I ever nearly caused (no actual accident) were after very poor or non-existent sleep. Judgment and possibly reflexes were affected. Sleep deprivation is nothing to dismiss. To me, it would be better to stay up one night and be active than to “fake sleep” like you are doing. Lying in bed anxious about not sleeping is very bad. No, I don’t take prescription sleep medicine, but melatonin seems to work very well for me.
“The only close-call traffic accidents I ever nearly caused (no actual accident) were after very poor or non-existent sleep. Judgment and possibly reflexes were affected. Sleep deprivation is nothing to dismiss. To me, it would be better to stay up one night and be active than to “fake sleep” like you are doing. Lying in bed anxious about not sleeping is very bad.”
I guess a couple of comments. First, I agree that driving after not sleeping, or after working a night shift can be challenging - I’ve scared the heck out of myself on some 40 minute drives after working all night...so I won’t argue there. But I’ve also worked many night shifts and yes, I found that fake sleep was much more effective than no sleep. I didn’t consider drugging myself simply because I’d be impaired for my next shift, and, like you, I’m not into drugs (I agree, melatonin doesn’t count as a drug).