Sleep problems

[Droopy]

Anyone else having problems with their sleep? I get enough sleep and I feel rested when I get up. The problem is that I usually can't get to sleep before 3 AM and it is physically impossible for me to get up before 10 AM. Sometimes it's even worse than that. Last night the last time I remember looking at the clock it was 5 AM and I slept until nearly 1 PM today.

It's not too much of a problem right now because I work second shift, but if I were ever to have to get up early for something I would be screwed. I might as well just stay up all night if something like that comes up.

[Scottie72]

1. If you are working second shift

I wouldn't worry all that much about it. That is why I love second shift so much. I do not get home till about 12:30 and then stay up till about 1:30 and sleep in until 9 or 10. I hate having to get up early. It doesn't sound like too much of a problem at this point.

[Droopy]

3. True

But things change. What if I need to start getting up early for my job? I've been off this past week and my sleep schedule has stayed the same. No matter how early I get to bed, I'll toss and turn until the wee hours of the morning.

It's probably due to working second shift so long. I've been on that shift for most of the last 5 years. Maybe all I'll need is some adjustment time to get back to normal.

[Scottie72]

8. The way to change it the easiest.

Is try going to be maybe ah hour earlier than you normally do. (Maybe even only an half hour) Moving the time in 15 -30 minute increments every couple of days.

I know how tough it is. When we are "on shift" at our job I usually work 4pm through midnight for seven days straight then I work my off shift week from 7:30 am - 4::30 pm. It is murder trying to wake up in time for work.

[trotsky]

2. I got into a real nasty sleep schedule like that once.

It was leading up to finals week in college. Usually went to bed around 1-2, woke up around 9-10. Then it just kept sliding and I wasn't going to bed until 4 or even 5. I even missed some classes thanks to that.

I had to force my body clock back into a normal schedule by skipping sleep one night, then taking a Sominex the next evening.

[Droopy]

6. I'd thought of sleeping pills

Maybe that's the way I'll need to go if I ever need to get back to a first shift schedule.

[caty]

22. Forget about sleeping pills.

The over the counter ones don't work. And, if you get them from your doctor, you can't take them every night or for very long. If you took them every night they would stop working and the dose would have to be increased.
Stop consuming caffiene and even chocolate after 3:00pm or completely. Excerise everyday. :boring:

[silverweb]

4. You're not alone.

I've had similar problems all my life. Like you, I'm lucky enough to work second shift. However, having to force myself to be a "day person" for many years when I was younger was pure torture. My dad and both of my kids have struggled with the same thing.

Everyone knows there are "day" people and "night" people. I really do believe we each have a biological clock with genetically determined settings. You can fight it or you can try to work with it, but it's not going to go away.

I take Unisom and then read for about an hour until I think I can sleep; then I force myself to get up at the same time every morning, whether I managed to get to sleep "on time" or not. Well, most days, anyway. It helps.

[Droopy]

7. I guess it could be my natural rhythm

But I wasn't always like that. When I was younger I was pretty much a morning person. I guess things can change though.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

5. [Mods this is not medical advice.]

I used to have this and here's what I did:

(1) When getting up in the AM throw open all the shades to let in light.

(2) Eat a good dinner. Take some vitamins too.

(3) Keep going during the day; even if it almost kills you. You're trying to shut your body down for the night.

(4) About an hour before sleep try to relax. I know this is tough but just clear your mind.

(5) Make sure the room is dark when you try to go to sleep.

[Droopy]

9. Thanks Guggenheim

I do a few of those things already.

1) My room is light during the day, but I manage to sleep through it.
2) I eat well and I take vitamins.
3) I'm not sure if this mean don't take naps, but I don't do that.
4) I DU before sleep, so maybe it would be advisable that I get a good book instead.
5) It's dark in my room at night. No street lamps or other lights.

[Wetzelbill]

10. I've struggled my whole life with them

I have to have a schedule, where I have a packed day and I have to wake up early. I can't eat anything for at least an hour before I go to bed otherwise I could never sleep.

[Droopy]

11. Well, I hope you have found what works for you

I know insomnia is a bitch. I've suffered from that a few times in my life.

[Wetzelbill]

21. it does and it doesn't work

sometimes I'll be alright, for a week or so and then I get off schedule and get all screwed up again. Insomnia can be a bitch. I'm sort of a night owl anyway, which doesn't help.

[sam sarrha]

12. I recomend Meditation, 'Theta-jump' Phenomonon works for me

when you learn to meditate.. which is to produce a 100% Alpha Rythem. if you lay down and meditate your brain waves will slow from Beta to Theta.. then skip Alpha and slide into Delta..Sleep

i can fall asleep in 30 seconds. and usually do

there is a great little video Meditation lesson and some audio lessons at http://www.buddhanet.net

PM me if you need any information

[Droopy]

13. I'm not depressed

Everything is going alright for me right now. I'm generally in a good mood. Don't remember the last time I was in a really bad mood. But I will consider meditation. I've looked into it in the past, but never got very far with it.

[sam sarrha]

14. if you can get in touch with an 'Insight Meditation' group they are the

best i think for general meditation

http://www.dhamma.org

they provide a free 10 day meditation retreat all over the world probably in every state.

I would suggest any Tibetan group 'except NKT'.. the tibetans have developed meditation to its pinnacle with the Logong 7 point mind training.

but you need to start at the beginning...

i tried Zen.. but the zen personalities-wannabe sages mind fucked me over so bad i avoided Buddhism for 30 years till i found a Tibetan Monk that explained it to me.

Zen is OK if it works for you.. it is nice to have a background in meditation going in tho..

meditation is compared to learning to play a musical instrument. you need a teacher, you have to practice every day
and it takes about as long to 'Get It'..6 months to a year. but the benefits begin right away. i taught meditation in a juvenile prison, every kid that did it regularly was paroled in 30 to 60 days. the results were "Miraculous" to say the least.. their consciousness and compassion for others blossomed and was really amazing.

check out the book 'Diamond Mind' by Rob Narin

[Droopy]

16. Thanks for the suggestions

and the guidance.

[texas1928]

15. I can come over a rock you to sleep.

I gots some big rocks here.

:P

[Droopy]

17. Sometimes I think that is about what I need.

:)

[HysteryDiagnosis]

18. Help with just about everything.... really.

http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcl-063.shtml

References | Disclaimer | Abstracts | Print Version

Insomnia and Daytime Sleepiness
Updated: 06/11/2003

Sleep Deprivation
Diagnosis And Treatment
Decline In Melatonin Production
Natural Sleep-Inducing Therapies
Prescription Drugs
Other Sleep Disorders
Summary
Insomnia: from the Latin insomnis, meaning sleepless
Sleep is absolutely essential for repair and rejuvenation, and those with chronic insomnia must find a solution in order to maintain quality of life. Most people don't know that chronic insomnia predisposes people to early death. Therefore, from a perspective of extending life, it is absolutely essential that good sleep patterns be restored.

Insomnia is a frequent symptom indicative of overt or underlying depression. In this case, it is essential to treat the depression in order to produce healthier sleep patterns. Improving sleep often alleviates depression and vice versa.

Insomnia can be described as either difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep or both. It affects millions of people and is often difficult to treat. Those who suffer from insomnia feel as though they have not had sufficient sleep when they awaken. Over the long-term it may cause fatigue, irritability, and decreased concentration just to name a few symptoms. Elderly people may require less sleep than younger adults, on average 6-8 hours per day. This is a normal, age-related change and should not be considered to be a sleep disorder in a healthy individual.

[Droopy]

19. Thanks for the link

I don't know if what I'm experiencing is insomnia or not. I just have trouble getting to sleep at a reasonable hour. I usually sleep for about 8 hours once I do get to sleep and I feel rested when I get up.

[ghostsofgiants]

20. Don't even get me started on my sleep habits

Fucked up doesn't even begin to describe them.

[Rhiannon12866]

23. I've tried to go to sleep five times since five am.

And here I am, yet again. Answer your question? *sigh*:shrug: