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Originally Posted by Nani  Thanks for the responses! 
I should have mentioned my age, I'm 17.
Teenagers need that much sleep!? I didn't know that. But the problem with stopping early rising is that I have to wake up at 5 to go to school, so I don't have a choice to wake up later except on weekends. My school is infamous for its sleepy students, actually. They get very, very little sleep because of all the homework and projects, frequently pulling all nighters, so being tired is accepted as normal by everyone. This is why it took me a while to realize that this really isn't normal and I should do something.
I used to eat sugary and junk foods but I've stopped that altogether quite recently, and there might have been slight improvements in my sleep but not enough.  Maybe dairy is the culprit. I think I ought to try experimenting more with my diet. What kinds of foods give the most energy? Fruits?
I didn't think of my bed being the problem. Now that I think about it, I seem to fall asleep much more easily on the couch because it's so comfy, but I don't really get that feeling when I'm in bed. This could be why it takes me so dang long to fall asleep. Maybe I should try sleeping on the couch for one night. |
Cutting sugar and junk food is a good move, but it will take a while before you see any effects. Your body still has to get rid of the toxins that have piled up, so your symptoms might even get worse before they go away. Fruits and vegetables give lots of energy, but you need to make sure that you don't just eat apples and spinache, for example. Try different kinds and don't stick to just two or three.
If you lie more comfortable on the couch than in your bed, you have a problem. You spend about 1/3th of your life asleep, so it's worth it to invest in a good bed, pillow and matress. Do note: "good", does not mean the same as "expensive". I have a boxspring set from Ikea and sleep like a dream. And I'm really picky when it comes to beds!
This one is going to sound strange, but what is your race? Asians and blacks, need different kinds of matrasses than white people. Asian people, for example, have a rather straight spinal collum and sleep better on sturdy, flat mattresses, lying on their backs. White people have a stronger S-curve and benefit from a thicker, softer matress and sleeping on their sides.
Gender also plays a part: women are more curvy and need a softer matress that allows them to 'sink in' while stil supporting their lower back. Men have broad shoulders and would do well to find a matrass that allows those to sink in without affecting their lower body.
taste varies, but you get the best support from a pocket spring matress, so try to get one of those. They don't have to be expensive