DEAR HARRIETTE: I have always been a night owl, but now it’s catching up with me. I stay up late watching lame TV shows, and then I can hardly get up in the morning to start my day. I know this is crazy, but I haven’t been able to break the cycle. My husband and I have been on the outs recently, and I think that’s how it started. Rather than going to bed when he does, I stay up late and basically avoid him. Now, it’s backfiring. I can’t get up in the morning. I’ve been late for work a few times. I’m exhausted, yet I can’t seem to change my pattern. -- Night Owl, Richmond, Virginia
DEAR NIGHT OWL: You have to deal with the fundamental issue before you -- what’s going on in your marriage. Avoiding that elephant in the room has your schedule all twisted with unnecessary distractions. It is unhealthy for you to continue down this path.
While it may seem scary and daunting to approach the crisis in your marriage directly, you owe it to yourself and your husband to do just that. Consider engaging a marriage counselor to help you out. A professional may be able to point you in a direction that will make it easier for you to talk about your issues with your husband and come to some clarity about what you need to do. Be sure to tell the therapist about your sleep issues, too. I think they are all related.