Sleepiness, why do I suffer from it and what can I do?

Age 80, residence in the countryside, mainly vegetarian diet, intense physical activity, due to daily manual agricultural work, especially in the summer. Frequent fights and marriage quarrels, unfortunately. Surgery for “lipoma sarcoma like” on the left leg. last November. I sleep 7 hours a night, quite regular sleep. I do not take any drugs, except in rare acute or indispensable situations For about 30-40 years, but to a lesser extent even previously, I suffer from drowsiness, which intensified during old age, in the following situations: sitting in an armchair, on television, at the computer , during a conference, concert, theater, sometimes even when I drive the car, when I sit down to rest after 2-3 hours of intense physical work. I understand that sleepiness occurs in moments of prolonged mental passivity or inactivity, or lack of attention. I would like to know what could be the psychic or organic cause of this disorder, now worsening with age. Is it a kind of self-hypnosis? Carlo Gianfelici

Health Answers

Hi, I challenge anyone, even younger than you, not to fall asleep in front of the TV or the PC, especially after doing intense agricultural work. The problem is that if it happens to you in the car it becomes dangerous for you and for others. I don’t think it is self-hypnosis at all, but rather a form of rest that she needs, and that her body activates even without her control in order to regulate itself. It could also be a form of anti-stress, so as not to think about any problems that she has to solve, in fact it is no coincidence that it manifests itself in moments when her mind rests, consequently her body also follows it. For her age it is also normal to sleep more than usual, since the organism changes and needs more rest than in the past, I also congratulate her for her persistence in working the land, a great way to keep fit. Surely finding other activities, even intellectual ones, that can stimulate the mind is a great way to combat sleepiness, but if the problem persists, try to listen to his body better and to indulge him when he needs rest. A warm greeting. Elena