Really struggling with waking up / getting up
Discussion
xjay1337 said:
Get into bed around 10:30/10:45.
Usually watch an episode or two of a TV show to relax, then I whack on Top Gear and fall asleep to that (I have always had to have the TV on to fall asleep, it's on a timer so usually turns off about 15-20 minutes after I've entered the land of nod).
I would say I am asleep by 1am at the latest. I've always been a night owl and this isn't anything new to me.
The issue is I naturally struggle to fall asleep much earlier than this, so any attempts to fall asleep at say 11, just stress me out
Do not watch TV or look at any kind of screen at night. The blue light off the back light keeps you awake. Read a book or something else.Usually watch an episode or two of a TV show to relax, then I whack on Top Gear and fall asleep to that (I have always had to have the TV on to fall asleep, it's on a timer so usually turns off about 15-20 minutes after I've entered the land of nod).
I would say I am asleep by 1am at the latest. I've always been a night owl and this isn't anything new to me.
The issue is I naturally struggle to fall asleep much earlier than this, so any attempts to fall asleep at say 11, just stress me out
The rease I asked how old you were is because "My natural routine is sleep between 3 and 5am and wake up at around 2-3pm" is just something a student or someone with no place to be would do. I used to do it in college also, why go to bed, nothing to get up for. Funnily enough, like you, I found if I tried to do that while maintaining a job it was quite difficult. So I went to bed earlier. Also when you get a mrs she aint gunna want to fall asleep to three middle aged prats on the box, so you may as well get out of the habit now.
My OH has trouble sleeping, and also chronic fatigue syndrome so she NEEDS to sleep
Her tips:
1. Consistent bed time, including weekends
2. No tv or electronic device 1hour before bed
3. No caffeine after 6
4. The bedroom is for sleeping in. Not watching tv, reading, etc.
5. Use something to unwind if you need to. It's a bit of a fad, but she has found adult colouring books helpful.
6. Don't go to bed thinking you won't get to sleep. You'll just be fighting to prove yourself right
7. Allow time for changes to kick in. If you're tossing and turning for the first few nights; stick with it
Are you tired during the day? There's a difference between being burned out through lack of sleep and just struggling to get out of your pit every morning, but being OK once you've stuck your head under a shower and had a coffee.
Her tips:
1. Consistent bed time, including weekends
2. No tv or electronic device 1hour before bed
3. No caffeine after 6
4. The bedroom is for sleeping in. Not watching tv, reading, etc.
5. Use something to unwind if you need to. It's a bit of a fad, but she has found adult colouring books helpful.
6. Don't go to bed thinking you won't get to sleep. You'll just be fighting to prove yourself right
7. Allow time for changes to kick in. If you're tossing and turning for the first few nights; stick with it
Are you tired during the day? There's a difference between being burned out through lack of sleep and just struggling to get out of your pit every morning, but being OK once you've stuck your head under a shower and had a coffee.
okgo said:
The rease I asked how old you were is because "My natural routine is sleep between 3 and 5am and wake up at around 2-3pm" is just something a student or someone with no place to be would do. I used to do it in college also, why go to bed, nothing to get up for. Funnily enough, like you, I found if I tried to do that while maintaining a job it was quite difficult. So I went to bed earlier. Also when you get a mrs she aint gunna want to fall asleep to three middle aged prats on the box, so you may as well get out of the habit now.
Thats my natural routine. As in what i usually slip into when I'm not working (ie new year break).My mrs (i have one thanks) and she quite happily sleeps with whatever i have on tv!
maxxy5 said:
It could be a symptom of your depression, it makes your brain overactive during sleep, so you sleep badly and wake up tired. Maybe try different drugs/treatment? I know that some anti-depressants help the brain to 'turn off' at night (but I don't know which).
The other advice in here is sensible, try getting up at the same time everyday, no matter how tired you feel during the day to start with. Stick with only one alarm time, (you could set more than one alarm at that time) and focus on it. Later and later alarms are probably just an excuse for your semi-sleeping brain to ignore the early ones, and it also reinforces a lack of confidence in yourself, which won't help you stick to a goal.
I've tried the maths alarm apps, unfortunately I discovered I could just turn the phone off rather than doing the sums... doesn't matter where they are in the room. I quite like the idea of having to go and get a stool!
Possibly. I'll see about changing my medi had been off them for about 8 months then i had to go back on them. For the 3 week to 2 month period after starting i simply couldn't sleepThe other advice in here is sensible, try getting up at the same time everyday, no matter how tired you feel during the day to start with. Stick with only one alarm time, (you could set more than one alarm at that time) and focus on it. Later and later alarms are probably just an excuse for your semi-sleeping brain to ignore the early ones, and it also reinforces a lack of confidence in yourself, which won't help you stick to a goal.
I've tried the maths alarm apps, unfortunately I discovered I could just turn the phone off rather than doing the sums... doesn't matter where they are in the room. I quite like the idea of having to go and get a stool!
But thats quite a while ago now!
Cheers man :-)
Carrot said:
Read the Watch subforum. Some of the freakishness in there will either terrify you awake or send you right to sleep.
"Wrist time"...
Hahah! Good ideaI'll bear it in mind :-)"Wrist time"...
shep1001 said:
Sleep apnea?? Mrs has it. Meds keep her awake during the day just fine but getting her out of the pit in the morning is a nightmare. Not enough of the right type of sleep apparently
My mrs says i do stop breathing the night sometimes, but not for long. So possibly!Anyway thanks everyone for the advice i am mow in bed and going to see what happens tonight, first night and all that.
I'm a postie so the one thing i am good at is getting up.
We've gone from starting work at 5.30am to now starting at 7.30am luxury!
I have 2 phones one goes off at 6.45 and the other at 6.46, when they alarm goes off don't f
k around get up get in the bathroom and shower/shave don't ass around with snooze.
We've gone from starting work at 5.30am to now starting at 7.30am luxury!
I have 2 phones one goes off at 6.45 and the other at 6.46, when they alarm goes off don't f
k around get up get in the bathroom and shower/shave don't ass around with snooze.maxxy5 said:
doesn't matter where they are in the room. I quite like the idea of having to go and get a stool!
A mate at uni shared a room, and on the last night of term his room-mate (who wasn't staying that night) blue-tac'd his alarm clock behind the radiator. Took him ages to find it when it started beeping in the morning 
There was an alarm clock around some years ago that looked like a tennis ball, the idea being when it went off you threw it against the wall to stop it, and then had to search for it when it went off the second time. Similarly I've seen one that's on wheels and scuttles off and hides somewhere in the room.
xjay1337 said:
I didn't say it was good or what was best, but it's just that I had always done it, and I meant more in regards to the mocking of the "night owl" - I have always naturally been up late at night and sleeping during the day.
My natural routine is sleep between 3 and 5am and wake up at around 2-3pm.
I am looking to change my habits to something which will allow me to hopefully sleep better and wake up more refreshed in line with the working week, which is why I am asking for help :-)
How do you cope with jet lag?My natural routine is sleep between 3 and 5am and wake up at around 2-3pm.
I am looking to change my habits to something which will allow me to hopefully sleep better and wake up more refreshed in line with the working week, which is why I am asking for help :-)
GT03ROB said:
How do you cope with jet lag?
Never had it luckily!Muzzer79 said:
Are you tired during the day? There's a difference between being burned out through lack of sleep and just struggling to get out of your pit every morning, but being OK once you've stuck your head under a shower and had a coffee.
Cheers for the tips :-)Umm, well usually I will wake up, feel crap, feel a bit better after brushing my teeth / shower etc.
Then by the time i get to work I'm knackered. between 11am and 4pm I feel pretty good. Then after 4 ish then I start to feel really drowsy and I could sleep at 6pm which is not ideal as I'm driving home haha.
I've been mitigating the driving home by having a coffee about half an hour before I head home.
edit: forgot to say, must have fallen asleep around 11:15. turned off the TV and stuff around 11 - I woke up before my alarms at 6:45 feeling a lot fresher than I have for a long time.
Edited by xjay1337 on Tuesday 12th January 10:02
I'm a fellow owl, so I synpathise.
I am never, ever sleepy before 1am, and I have always had real problems getting up before 8 am, particularly at this time of year.
I try to bully my stubborn body clock to comply with society's norms by winding down after 10pm. No caffeine after dinner, but I do sometimes have a couple of drinks. Definitely no tv, music, radio, phone or iPad in the bedroom, which is kept as dark and silent as possible and is used exclusively for sleeping. Ok, not quite exclusively....
As a reward for being good during the week and getting up before my body wants to, at weekends I usually stay up to whatever time my body decides it wants to go to bed, which is usually around 3 am, then get up around 10. I feel much better for it, too.
I am never, ever sleepy before 1am, and I have always had real problems getting up before 8 am, particularly at this time of year.
I try to bully my stubborn body clock to comply with society's norms by winding down after 10pm. No caffeine after dinner, but I do sometimes have a couple of drinks. Definitely no tv, music, radio, phone or iPad in the bedroom, which is kept as dark and silent as possible and is used exclusively for sleeping. Ok, not quite exclusively....
As a reward for being good during the week and getting up before my body wants to, at weekends I usually stay up to whatever time my body decides it wants to go to bed, which is usually around 3 am, then get up around 10. I feel much better for it, too.
xjay1337 said:
My mrs says i do stop breathing the night sometimes, but not for long. So possibly!
Anyway thanks everyone for the advice i am mow in bed and going to see what happens tonight, first night and all that.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a very serious condition. My being diagnosed and treated with OSA then changed my life from a period of extreme fatigue and difficulty getting up, back to normality. Anyway thanks everyone for the advice i am mow in bed and going to see what happens tonight, first night and all that.
I suggest you please consider going to your Doc and ask for an appointment to see if it could be a possible cause.
Has a point about getting half out of bed.
Get as far away from the bed as possible... hmm...
Glad to hear it works OK for you haha :-)
I think the idea of having the bedroom just for sleeping is good, currently I am lodging so do not have the option. But even in my own flat before the idea of staying in bed and watching a movie was always better than the sofa haha.
I remember with an ex she always used to complain I snored a lot, never mentioned I stopped breathing.. only my current partner, she never minded it as much anyway, but told me about the lack of breathing. Although apparently lately, over the last couple of months I am snoring less. I'll ask her to keep an ear out for my breathing if she can.
Thanksk guys, last night I ended up staying up till about midnight (just did) but even so I was better in the morning than I was, tonight I have just gotten back from working on my car and are pretty tired so i'll be sleeping shortly
Get as far away from the bed as possible... hmm...
Bradgate said:
I'm a fellow owl, so I synpathise.
I am never, ever sleepy before 1am, and I have always had real problems getting up before 8 am, particularly at this time of year.
I try to bully my stubborn body clock to comply with society's norms by winding down after 10pm. No caffeine after dinner, but I do sometimes have a couple of drinks. Definitely no tv, music, radio, phone or iPad in the bedroom, which is kept as dark and silent as possible and is used exclusively for sleeping. Ok, not quite exclusively....
As a reward for being good during the week and getting up before my body wants to, at weekends I usually stay up to whatever time my body decides it wants to go to bed, which is usually around 3 am, then get up around 10. I feel much better for it, too.
Interesting :-)I am never, ever sleepy before 1am, and I have always had real problems getting up before 8 am, particularly at this time of year.
I try to bully my stubborn body clock to comply with society's norms by winding down after 10pm. No caffeine after dinner, but I do sometimes have a couple of drinks. Definitely no tv, music, radio, phone or iPad in the bedroom, which is kept as dark and silent as possible and is used exclusively for sleeping. Ok, not quite exclusively....
As a reward for being good during the week and getting up before my body wants to, at weekends I usually stay up to whatever time my body decides it wants to go to bed, which is usually around 3 am, then get up around 10. I feel much better for it, too.
Glad to hear it works OK for you haha :-)
I think the idea of having the bedroom just for sleeping is good, currently I am lodging so do not have the option. But even in my own flat before the idea of staying in bed and watching a movie was always better than the sofa haha.
krallicious said:
How much alcohol do you drink? I have found that alcohol keeps me awake but then again this has started since I hit 30.
I'm teetotal and have been for 5 years. Prior to that I would perhaps have a beer or two in the evening but never got drunk. Dave_newcastle said:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a very serious condition. My being diagnosed and treated with OSA then changed my life from a period of extreme fatigue and difficulty getting up, back to normality.
I suggest you please consider going to your Doc and ask for an appointment to see if it could be a possible cause.
I will go to the doctor but I fear they will say it's because of my weight.I suggest you please consider going to your Doc and ask for an appointment to see if it could be a possible cause.
I remember with an ex she always used to complain I snored a lot, never mentioned I stopped breathing.. only my current partner, she never minded it as much anyway, but told me about the lack of breathing. Although apparently lately, over the last couple of months I am snoring less. I'll ask her to keep an ear out for my breathing if she can.
Thanksk guys, last night I ended up staying up till about midnight (just did) but even so I was better in the morning than I was, tonight I have just gotten back from working on my car and are pretty tired so i'll be sleeping shortly
Otispunkmeyer said:
Do not watch TV or look at any kind of screen at night. The blue light off the back light keeps you awake. Read a book or something else.
This ^^^Try an audiobook or very dull podcasts - something monotone and no sound effects.
I also sleep with the window ajar (even when it is -10c) and lots of duvets which seems to help me in the winter.
Get a proper sleep test, as I struggled with all those kind of symptoms and finally got checked for sleep apena but found it was even worse!
If you have no success try and get e gp to refer you to UCLH in London as they have a specialist sleep clinic, which is excellent.
I have a rare condition which only called Idiopathic Hypersomnolence which isn't great but with treatment I can now normally stay awake while I am at work, which helps.
If you have no success try and get e gp to refer you to UCLH in London as they have a specialist sleep clinic, which is excellent.
I have a rare condition which only called Idiopathic Hypersomnolence which isn't great but with treatment I can now normally stay awake while I am at work, which helps.
Take the tv and gadgets out of the bedroom, don't use anything with a screen before bed as the blue light wakes you up.
Cut out caffeine and alcohol as these both disrupt sleep, caffeine stops you getting to sleep and alcohol helps you initially to sleep but disrupts your deep sleep later on.
Having a warm bath a couple of hours before going to bed can also help.
Cut out caffeine and alcohol as these both disrupt sleep, caffeine stops you getting to sleep and alcohol helps you initially to sleep but disrupts your deep sleep later on.
Having a warm bath a couple of hours before going to bed can also help.
Hi, thanks for the latest posts.
I dont drink alcohol at all and rarely coffee, certainly after 2/3 is a no no
Ive been sleeping better lately, I started having the tv off or streaming a youtube video to my phone and not watching it, just listening.
I've been with a girl for about 3 1/2 months and ive been sleeping a lot better with her lol.
I dont drink alcohol at all and rarely coffee, certainly after 2/3 is a no no
Ive been sleeping better lately, I started having the tv off or streaming a youtube video to my phone and not watching it, just listening.
I've been with a girl for about 3 1/2 months and ive been sleeping a lot better with her lol.
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