Got Into A Bad Sleeping Pattern - Sleep Disorders Message Board

MCRGURL · 09-23-2005, 07:30 PM

First off let me tell you my usual sleeping time.
I go to sleep at around 5AM and dont wake up till around 3PM. Now that probably sounds absolutley insane, but theres a reason for that.

Im 17 and in high school but Im basically home schooled. So I can stay up at night as long as I want and then wake up the next morning whenever I want. But its gotten a little out of control. Slowly I started staying up a little longer each night. And the reason I would try to stay up a little longer is because of the stupid TV. There was always something good on and I wanted to stay up and watch it. So now, no matter how hard I try to fall asleep, I cant sleep until the early morning like between 5 and 7AM. I really want to get back on scheldule, but I cant. Its so hard to fall asleep. If I could end up being able to go to bed and actually fall asleep at 11PM, then Ill be really happy. I just really cant believe how out of control this is getting.

So if anyone could give me any advice on how I could do this, I would really appreciate it.

Oh and also, I have a habbit of drinking things with caffeine at night like soda and tea. So I was wondering how many hours before I go to sleep should I stop drinking things with caffeine in them?

Goodfairy · 09-25-2005, 07:45 AM

I would definitely avoid caffeine at night at all. I find any caffeine after lunch can affect sleep at night...

I find the best time to go to sleep is 9pm. Very early, but I have noticed over hte years that around 10pm (and other friends have noticed this) you get a kind of second wind and wake up and start wanting to do things. Whereas if you go to bed at 9pm you're all sleepy then and go out like a light.

Then again this might sound very early to you! But maybe you should do it gradually - each night go to bed one hour earlier and set an alarm to wake up an hour earlier and work backwards.

I also think if you're having trouble sleeping it's important not to stress out. The more you lie in bed worrying the more you won't sleep. I think you have to just sink into bed with a fairly easy atttitude and let sleep come when it comes. Just the physical rest of lying in the bed is very good for the mind & body anyway, which good to remember if you're lying there fretting.

wiredqs · 09-25-2005, 06:41 PM

Start by staying up later, since it's ok. Go to bed a 6am, then 7am...in about 2 weeks you should be at a normal schedule. Remember vcr's are cheap. That stuff that is on at 2am really isn't worth watching, once you record it and try watching it in the daytime you will wonder what you were thinking.