Why am I so nocturnal?!
Question: For quite some time now I've been off and on with these really out of whack sleeping patterns. I just figured that it was something that happened to me during the summer time, because I've been staying up till dawn and sleeping till late afternoon during the summer for nearly a decade. But now, even though winter is here I am still having this feeling of being awake and active at night while being tired during the day! I sometimes even stay up for 24 hours or more to reset my sleep schedule, but even that doesn't seem to work anymore... I'll still spring awake at odd hours and then end up feeling tired during the day. I actually fell asleep for a little while during the evening today and now it's 2:15 AM and I'm only slightly tired... Sometimes, I'm even tired at night but I'm against the idea of going to sleep during the night... It's like I want to stay up until I absolutely can't fight it anymore... Weird, huh? This seems to be psychological, almost... Does it sound familiar?
Answers: For quite some time now I've been off and on with these really out of whack sleeping patterns. I just figured that it was something that happened to me during the summer time, because I've been staying up till dawn and sleeping till late afternoon during the summer for nearly a decade. But now, even though winter is here I am still having this feeling of being awake and active at night while being tired during the day! I sometimes even stay up for 24 hours or more to reset my sleep schedule, but even that doesn't seem to work anymore... I'll still spring awake at odd hours and then end up feeling tired during the day. I actually fell asleep for a little while during the evening today and now it's 2:15 AM and I'm only slightly tired... Sometimes, I'm even tired at night but I'm against the idea of going to sleep during the night... It's like I want to stay up until I absolutely can't fight it anymore... Weird, huh? This seems to be psychological, almost... Does it sound familiar?
Well that explains why when I ask a question in the middle of the night you always answer! I always wonder to myself, "How many hours behind is San Fran again?" I can't sleep at night either...but I HAVE to get up in the morning. I'm so tired on those days...I get headaches, I have a hard time concentrating, I'm forgetful, I'm in slo-motion...sometimes I wonder how it's possible that I'm able to function! I 'm always so sure I'll crash at "bedtime." That time comes and I'm WIDE AWAKE!
Someone suggested reading the book, "Sleep Thieves." If it's any good or if it helps I'll let you know!
Beat off, it makes you tired afterwards
I went through this also It started in the summer, but sometimes it still hits me. I'ts 4:30 am here and I have to be up at 6:30am. My mother did tell me that if you do lay down and rest, your body is still getting some rest and recharging itself. I also finds a warm cup of milk helps before bed. As a last resort you can contact your doctor and ask him about ambien or lunesta. Try to avoid alcohol before bed because lots of times it has the oppostie of effect and stimulates you. good luck
beats me why but im int he same boat. said i was goin to bed at 3 so i could wake up in 10 minutes (530) looks like no slee tonight. i always assumed stress but ive got the wekk off so i dunno man
Me too. My body clock has whacked out too.
I always sleep at about 5.30 am and wake up at 2 - 3 pm,I've always wanted to revert back to my regular sleeping hours..so I guess the only way is to force yourself to sleep at a regular hour,so that it will stay constant throughout.
i'm the same way except i don't get too tired during the day. i cope well with very little sleep. i have a lot of friends who are also turning into night owls. not wanting to answer a question with a question but... could it have something to do with our changing universe, like global warming and stuff?? just a thought.
I've worked graveyard shifts a lot and stayed up nights a lot too. One thing I really like is that everything is quieter and less crowded. I don't have to worry about traffic (but I do have to be careful how I drive because of greater police scrutiny). So just the nice aspect of having room and less congestion in living is kind of what gets me addicted to night living.
Sleep tips.....
when you wake up at 2.15am, don't jump on the computer and stimulate your brain more.
Walk in the dark when you wake up, the lights will wake you more.
Cut out the sugar (or any uppers!)
Don't eat past 7pm at night
Be more active during the day
Read a book before you sleep
Don't think too much about things that stress you whilst in bed
If all this fails...take a couple of sleeping pills and knock yourself out. IT WORKS.
You have a messed up circadian rhythm. I've suffered through it all of my life. Unfortunately, I have to work (a daytime job to conform to the rest of the world) and do not have the luxury of sleeping til noon! I take sleeping pills every night of my life just to get enough sleep to function in the "real" world during the day. I am SO looking forward to retirement so that I can join my Significant Other in His nocturnal adventures. I know of no way, Sweetie, to overcome it. Some of us are just born that way. My mother always told me that when she brought me home from the hospital I would lay awake all night cooing and gooing and fall asleep about dawn. I didn't cry or fuss. I just didn't sleep when everybody else did!!!
If it helps you any, I take melatonin and a generic sleeping pill by Wal-Mart. Both are over-the-counter drugs and help me get the sleep I need in order to function.
Good luck.
make yourself get up earlyish in the mornings so that by evening you are tired. its probably got a lot to do with diet. watch what you eat before be and for tea that evening. not too much sugar and some fresh veg is always good.
being outside makes a huge difference. ever noticed how early you get tired when your camping? try and get outside (if you don't already) for at least an hour a day.
if your still struggling talk to your doctor
It sounds very familiar. It's almost 3:30Am now, and I am tired, but I'm not ready to go to bed. My wife is getting so fed up with me because I cannot go to bed at a normal hour and she always passes out on the couch until I'm ready to go to bed at like 4AM. One of my theories to why I do this, is because I hate to be bored. I know if I'm tired the next day and I'm bored I can just zone out or pass out instead of being bored.
Another theory is that some people just have certain sleep rhythms. It's like our natural sleep cycle is reversed from everybody else.
I have the same problem. So I got a night job might as well get paid to stay awake all night. My husband even put aluminum foil on the windows so I could sleep during the day. I had to take it down so I could sleep. I automatically wake up when the room gets dark. Been this way since I was 12. Try to ask your doctor for Ambien you'll be asleep in 7 minutes, no lie!
I'm a lot like that. Sometimes I think it might be the silence.
I like it, no one bothers me.