How many of you have irregular sleeping habits?

[View 1]

Because of my job my sleep habits are all over the place. I work early ( starting at 5am getting up at 4am ) or late ( start 3pm to midnight sometimes ). When I work early i am never able to get enough sleep the night before, I always have to take a nap after work...

Anyway latley I've been working late alot more, on my days off or sometimes before I work late, I will go to the gym so I dont have to go late at night, but Im finding im so tired form my sleeping habits that I dont have the energy in the moarning that I do at night.

I've never been a moarning person though...

Anybody else have this problem???

[J450n]

I just have a problem sleeping generally.. can't shut off at night..


Your sleep pattern looks all over the place, it's bound to cause problems.

[phreak]

I'm always having problems sleeping. Usually I can fall asleep without any problems, but wake up again after 1.5-2 hours. Sometimes I repeat this cycle 3-4 times per night, other times I just can't sleep at all after the first one.

[Beast]

Try OTC melatonin from Wal-Mart. It doesn't work for everyone, though.
If that doesn't work, see a physician about Lunesta if it's really bothering you. It's not supposed to be addictive like Ambien. Be aware that Lunesta is like $3 a pill.

[Sensei]

Parenthood basically cured any kind of insomnia that I might have had - now I can sleep ANYTIME.

Thank God I have a regular work schedule - I admire people that can handle changing shifts well.

[KingJustin]

Yeah, my usual pattern has become wake up in the morning, go to class, take a 2 hour nap, and then go to sleep early, only to remain unable to sleep for a couple hours. I've tried losing the naps entirely, but to no avail.

I also can't sleep at all if I've been drinking. I lay in bed for 4 hours, have a light sleep for an hour and a half or so, and then wake up and remain completely unable to sleep again.

[Beast]

Here's a "sleep wellness" guide that they hand out to patients here in the hospital:

SLEEP HYGIENE
1. Schedule
a) Regular bedtime
b) Regular wake-up (most important - set alarm)
c) No daytime naps

2. 3 hours before sleep
a) Reduce exercise
b) Decrease fluids
c) No caffeine
d) No alcohol
e) No TV, reading, eating in bed
f) Sex permitted in bed
g) Light bedtime snack is ok
h) Avoid stimulation like scary novels, horror movies, etc.

3. Daytime factors
a) Regular balanced diet
b) Regular exercise
c) Reduce caffeine/alcohol
d) Stay out of bed
e) No napping

4. Management of insomnia
a) Retire only when sleepy
b) Don't lie awake for more than 20 minutes
c) If awake, go to another quiet room
d) Engage in relaxing activity
e) Return to bed when sleepy
f) Repeat as often as needed

[J450n]

Here's a "sleep wellness" guide that they hand out to patients here in the hospital:

SLEEP HYGIENE
1. Schedule
a) Regular bedtime
b) Regular wake-up (most important - set alarm)
c) No daytime naps

^ Right, ok

2. 3 hours before sleep
a) Reduce exercise - Not always possible
b) Decrease fluids - Again, i practically drink up until going to sleep
c) No caffeine
d) No alcohol - Sometimes helps, sometimes doesn't
e) No TV, reading, eating in bed - T.v sends me off sometimes, reading tires my eyes
f) Sex permitted in bed - Wouldn't that contradict the 'Reduce exercise' point?
g) Light bedtime snack is ok
h) Avoid stimulation like scary novels, horror movies, etc. - Now that one's just funny...

3. Daytime factors
a) Regular balanced diet
b) Regular exercise
c) Reduce caffeine/alcohol
d) Stay out of bed
e) No napping

^Fair enough

4. Management of insomnia
a) Retire only when sleepy - Not always possible
b) Don't lie awake for more than 20 minutes See above
c) If awake, go to another quiet room - Fair enough
d) Engage in relaxing activity - I try, it's called sleeping
e) Return to bed when sleepy
f) Repeat as often as needed

Not pissing on the post, and no, you didn't produce the leaflet, just felt the need to add from personal exp...

[Tryska]

i used to have a rough time, and i guess if left to my own devices i would drift to my preferred sleep schedule (which would be great if still clubbed like i used to).

i've had to follow a strict sleep hygeine schedule, including going to sleep and waking up at the same times, not havign a TV in my bedroom, no caffeine after lunchtime, no napping, eating enough thrughout the day, trainging regularly etc, etc.

My newest addition has been a blackout shade. I originally bought it, to make my AC more efficient since I get direct afternoon sunlight in my bedroom, but a great side effect has been higher quality sleep since all the ambient light is removed. I find I sleep better, and wake up earlier and more alert, when I have the shade drawn.

obviously since you're schedule is all over the place, most of this doesn't help you.

(i do actually read before bed, for exactly one hour, so that i can calm my mind down - that works for me. altho soemtimes i wind up having wierd dreams - like last night i dreamt that my co-worker's boss is a sleeper-cell terrorist.)

[razorcut]

d) No alcohol - Sometimes helps, sometimes doesn't

Avoiding alcohol may not feel like it helps the overall situation, but......alcohol in the system certainly hinders a restful sleep.

[J450n]

Avoiding alcohol may not feel like it helps the overall situation, but......alcohol in the system certainly hinders a restful sleep.

I don't drink half as much these days. When i used to, if i was fairly wasted i would be out like a light but awake very early. On the one hand, it would send me off, on the other, it meant i woke very early. It's not really an issue these days. I'm just generally a crap sleeper.

[Beast]

Not pissing on the post, and no, you didn't produce the leaflet, just felt the need to add from personal exp...

Right. I think it's worth a try, since it has helped many patients.

[J450n]

Right. I think it's worth a try, since it has helped many patients.

No doubting it probably does, for some people, personally, i find it flawed.

[MrWebb78]

medication regulates sleep. but then it all breaks down to how you feel about medicating for regular sleeping habits.

[View 1]

I try to keep my bed times as consistant as possible, but Ive always been all over the place when it comes to my sleeping habits. My family ( on my moms side ) has a history of insomnia, which I get as well, so I think I just doomed all the way around.

I've been on prescription sleeping meds in the past, but I dont like taking them, ive tried melatonin, which marginal success, I dont eat or drink late at night, but I do work out late a couple of nights a week, I cant avoid that.

[soul71]

i pretty much hit the sack about about 12 at night.. read for a bit.. then go to sleep

get up at 8, moderately regular i guess

HOWEVER, when im stressed or my mind is very awake i have serious problems sleeping, because i just cant stop thinking about stuff

also, sometimes when im working late (until like 2am or so) i get worried about being tired the next day, so i go to bed, but i put so much effort into TRYING to go to sleep, that i actually cant, beacuse i keep thinking to myself "i have to go to sleep!" - which brings me back to my original point.. i cant sleep when im thinking about stuff

and so it gets to 3am and i start to worry more about being tired, then 4am etc

its just this big vicious cycle lol

[Rogue]

I'm a night-owl, party all night and sleep all day!!!

[ciscorob5]

I work 8 pm to 4 am every night. From home. I watch primetime TV and BBall games while building websites. Then I go to sleep at 4 and sleep til 11 am. I wake up, hit the gym then the pool, then see my woman for a few hours before returning to work in the evening. I probably work 7 days a week, and it's definitely hustle work- nothing is guaranteed when you're self-employed. But I like it. Working late and sleeping late are peaceful and it's nice doing things when others aren't. I'm not a big fan of rush hour traffic either

[marise]

I have an irregular sleep sometimes but i'll find a way to make it up the next day... Self-discipline is the best way i think...

[OptimumGrowth]

Try OTC melatonin from Wal-Mart. It doesn't work for everyone, though.
If that doesn't work, see a physician about Lunesta if it's really bothering you. It's not supposed to be addictive like Ambien. Be aware that Lunesta is like $3 a pill.

Melatonin works awesome for me. I would def. give it a try.