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[Cthulhu]

So apparently I'm turning into a vampire or something, my internal clock has been steadily shifting since probably mid-June.  I used to get to bed around 10 PM and get up at 7 AM, but I started getting to bed later and waking up later, since it was Summer.  It's gotten completely out of control now though.  I physically can't sleep until 5:30 or so, and that's technically daytime.  It's a good thing I don't have a job right now or I'd be boned. 

To give you an example, I went to bed at 9:30PM tonight and set my alarm for 7 AM.  I woke up well-rested, looked outside, and from the tiny bit of sky I can see past my curtain, estimated it was around 4:30 AM.  A little early, but reasonable.  I stroll over to turn my alarm clock off and IT IS 12:30 AM WTF.  Three hours.  I had only been able to sleep for three hours before I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. 

Does anyone know a way I can get my sleep schedule back to normal?  I blame free episodes of Futurama on the internet(I have some kind of weird compulsion where I can only watch Futurama late at night or I feel weird, and I was in the need of a nostalgia fix so I saw three or four episodes at a time.)

[Heron TSG]

Options-

(A)sk a doctor if you have insomnia

(W)ill yourself back to sleep, using methods described in the 'lucid dreaming' thread if necessary.

(D)on't watch so much stuff on a screen late at night. It messes with thy brainly waves and makes you more alert.

[ChairmanPoo]

I have a simmilar problem. My sleep gets disturbed easily (and disturbances generate ripples which make me sleep worse the next day, and so on in a downward spiral).

In the particular case you mention, I recommend turning around and going back to sleep. (and yes, I know it's hard and it takes time, but give it a go. Just stay abed... counting sheep, or something of that sort)


You could go to the doctor for this, but I think it's a bit early. And unless it becomes obviously severe, the medication you get will be rather weak (AKA: not something that makes you sleep per se).. And it's not like you'd want to need to be knocked out by pills everytime you want to go to sleep either.. So I'd recommend to try to solve it on your own.


Oh, and important: keep stable sleeping scheudles. If you start waking up earlier than you should, or going to bed latter, or having naps through the day because you are tired, you will only make it worse.

[Pleeb]

Chamomile pills and/or tea. Non-habit forming.

[ChairmanPoo]

Yeah, and they dont work either. Chamomille, that is.

As for Tea, it has caffeine and is in fact a bad idea.

[kalida99]

I've got a similar problem, only i do it intetionally (i've got sensitive eyes so the sun burns like hell) i find to get it back to normal is as easy as just staying up later until it fixes itself, but i'm not sure if that will work for you

[cowofdoom78963]

You dont have insomnia, ignore those hypodermic people who think you should go see a doctor.

Heres what I did: Dont "force" yourself to sleep. Instead keep yourself awake for the rest of the day until the time you want to be your regular bed time.

Sure its a whole day of suffering and trying to avoid passing out, but you deserve it becuase you ruined your schedule. And you will surely sleep like a babby when its done.

And if it doesnt work? Do it again until it does.

[Cthulhu]

Yeah, I tried staying awake all day so I'd sleep normally that night but I couldn't make it.  I'm gonna try it again tonight though.

[cowofdoom78963]

Good luck. I hope you make it this time.

[smokingwreckage]

Consider learning some relaxation techniques. Avoid alcohol in the evening, avoid caffeine after lunch. DO NOT go to bed right after gaming (esp very brain-stimulating games like DF) or listening to loud music or reading about politics. Do not use bed for anything but sleep and sex. If you don't fall asleep after about 40 mins, get up, drink something hot, and re-do your wind-down routine.

Always get up at the same time. This is more important than what time you sleep.

Finally: don't be afraid to see a doctor. They can test to see if your sleep hormones are working (it's a saliva sample). Sometimes your body can stop manufacturing the chemicals it needs to sleep, and you can replace those as a softer option than "sleeping pills". Even sleeping pills are a damn sight better than getting 2 hours sleep or so, several months running.

If you don't have a job and you're like me, you need to do something or you'll never sleep 'cause you'll never really get tired. Make sure you get some exercise during the day or you're boned.

[Rilder]

Don't worry I have a fucked up sleep schedule too, I can only keep it static if I sleep during the day, Currently sleep from 6 AM to 12-1 PM and can maintain it quite well.

[Mr Tk]

Sometime to try and get to sleep is to get comfortable in bed and and then count SLOWLY backwards from 100. Either count the numbers in your head or imagine numbers it doesn't matter how. And don't worry if you miss a number or forget where you were. Just go back to the last number you can remember doing and carry on.

I've found this is a really good way to relax, it clears the mind (good if you can't stop thinking about stuff). Except for once I'll generally go to sleep before 40

[cowofdoom78963]

I wonder if Cthulhu made it...

I guess all we can do is wait and see.

[Mr Tk]

I wonder if Cthulhu made it...

Were we so boring it put him to sleep?

[Puck]

Yeah, I tried staying awake all day so I'd sleep normally that night but I couldn't make it.  I'm gonna try it again tonight though.

I'm kind of a night owl for over 15 years now. I lost the fight, I admit it. I'm unbelievably grateful for having found work that is somewhat compatible with me and my lifestyle.

Anyway, if I HAVE to get up early, for whatever unholy reasons, I usually do the staying awake thing too. Problem is.... the sleeping patterns are burnt into my brain and once it's about noon I'm so tired that I fall asleep most of the time. And even when I manage to stay awake, I probably will be awake again at the times I'm used to. ie, late at night.

One thing that sort of helps is preparing that "cycle swap" a few days ahead, you know, postponing bedtime for 3 or 4 hours every day. You'll have some badly fucked up days in the middle of that, but hey, it's a lot more reliable.

Also, sleeping at some girls place (in case you'Re hetero) - preferably including sex - is a good trick. An orgasm combined with surroundings you're not THAT used to as well as somebody next to you that falls asleep at a proper time... best sleeping pill there is.

Failing all that, drug yourself up to the brim, but dont blame me when you feel like shit in the morning