Sleeping/Rising Issues

[bluskygirl]

I just read the 30-day trials post, and I'm totally inspired. Thanks for sharing that! One of the successful completions was getting up at 5:00 am. I am unsure how to get started with this. Sadly it's not as easy as it sounds! Here's my problem:

I do not hear alarms. I have tried every type of sound known to man! I have set multiple alarms with different sounds and I still sleep through all of them. For a while I had someone call me in the morning who I knew was already up, but now I don't hear my phone either. My body gets up at 7:00 pretty much every day regardless of what time I've gone to sleep. My typical bedtime is between 10 and 11 (never tired), but is usually a result of knowing that I need to get up early for work (and of course always oversleep anyway). I know that you're never supposed to go to sleep when you're not tired, but read below for a description of why I've resulted in this. (Sigh)

I used to consistently sleep 4-6 hours every night, and it seems that now my body won't tolerate less than 8. My solution for now has been to force myself to go to bed early? I hate to do that because I agree with Steve's article that you should allow your body to tell you when you're tired. I never (never) get signals like that. I swear if I don't lay down and try to go to sleep I can stay awake and stimulated all night long. Anyone else have this kind of problem? Am I missing my own body signals? I would love some feedback so that I could get myself on more of an early riser schedule.

[NotesMaeve]

Are you getting enough physical activity? Enough intellectual stimulation? I work 50+ hours a week in an often active job. I have a pretty busy social life, my home, and several hobbies. Between that, I'm so tired by the time 11 rolls around.

[Sam988]

As NotesMaeve said, physical activity is really important, so if you're not doing any, you should do something ASAP (even jogging daily for 15-25 minutes will do it).

[bluskygirl]

Actually I work out 30-60 minutes every day except Saturday. I alternate between weight lifting and running. I also skydive, am a single Mom, work a full-time job + two part-time gigs. Not to toot my horn... I just wanted to explain that i don't think activity is the problem. Maybe it's too much stimulus?

I sure do wish that I could figure out a way to get back into the 6-hour nights again AND get up at 5:00 or 5:30.

[NotesMaeve]

Hmm. Maybe you do need some down time. How's your relaxing time/social life?

[bluskygirl]

My free time is what I spend on the gym and skydiving with friends. Otherwise I'm either working or taking care of my kids.

Downtime is probably something I need, I hadn't really looked at things on the macro until I outlined them here. I am going to have an extended weekend coming up (working from home, but it's better than nothing) so I'll see if I can't focus on trying to make my downtime more "down".

[Susie]

<i>My solution for now has been to force myself to go to bed early? I hate to do that because I agree with Steve's article that you should allow your body to tell you when you're tired. I never (never) get signals like that. </i>

I made the switch from hardcore night owl to early riser (mine was one of the recent 30-day trials on that topic). First of all, I purchased an alarm clock for about 40 dollars (I believe you can get them for less) that's called Sonic Alert. It was created for people who are hearing impaired. I'm NOT hearing impaired, but the great thing about this alarm clock (and ones like it) is that it has a vibrate function where you put an attachment under your pillow (even under your mattress works) and it "shakes you awake." I found it to be very effective with absolutely NO sound at all. Also I like that it doesn't disturb other people in the household. However there is the option to have the sound alarm too, and this particular clock goes to a very high decibal. Who knows, maybe I would have done fine on this trial with a regular alarm clock, but I think that buying this clock specifically for startig my new life as an early riser was a motivating factor for me.

To get back to your quote, the main thing I learned from my 30-day trial was that the hard part isn't the getting up per se, it's the getting to bed at night. That is what really took (and still takes) the most discipline for me. I will consistently stay up later and later and later if I just "go to bed when I'm tired". I have to keep an eye on the clock at night and when it says it's a certain time, I get ready for bed and get under the covers ASAP. I too feel that I need 8 hours of rest to be functional during the day, that's why I changed my target wakeup time to 6am instead of 5am, because a 9pm bedtime just isn't for me!

Good luck to you!

[bluskygirl]

Thanks Susie! I've never heard of such an alarm clock (although it seems obvious to me now that something like that would have to exist). I might have to try that next payday. I typically awaken very easily by movement. I used to have a dog that would wake me up every morning in the most pushy and annoying way. I hated it, but I always got up on time because my alarm was her "signal". Now I have a St. Bernard who... well, is lazy. When my alarm goes off, she comes over and stares at me (I know this because I've seen her and there's always a nice line of drool on the edge of my bed ). If I don't react or move within a few seconds, she figures it's not time to get up and goes back to sleep. Ha! I am sure most people would LOVE to have a dog that let them sleep for however long they wanted... but sometimes I secretly miss my pushy and annoying pooch.

I will look into that sonic alarm clock! Thanks for the idea.

[Peter S C]

Not too sure about the not hearing the alarm clock (the sonic alarm clocks sounds interesting).

I did change from rising at 7am to 5am though. My one piece of advice is don't try and make that 2 hr change all at once. Gradually decrease by 30 mins (or even 15 mins).

Also, the other thing that has helped me was not having any caffeine and sugar after say 5pm.

[joelyle]

...I suggest doing something you truly enjoy, first thing in the morning; you must look forward to getting out of bed; for me it is reading/meditating; I've never overslept for golf or ski trip
I also believe the way we spend our days effects our sleep/dreamtime; since I have made a conscious effort to work on/watch myself: I have little difficulty getting out of bed.

Let me know how it goes.