sleeping habits

[fliptheswitch]

I've got myself into a bit of a rut. I get really tired around this time (usually about 8pm) and usually I just go to bed. That means I wake up at around 2am and then I can't get back to sleep until about 5. By this time I only have a couple of hours before I have to get up.
I feel like I'm in a vicious cycle. Does anyone have any tips or ideas how I can change this.
I've tried keeping myself awake (like now) until later but I can feel my eyes slowly dropping and always end up just going to bed.

[anneasquith]

try staying up just for an extra 30 minutes each night,

[system]

Go for a quick walk.
Splash your face with cold water.

[fliptheswitch]

Thank-you anneasquith. I am trying that tonight. I am sat here really having to force myself to stay awake though. It has only been this bad for the past few weeks and it feels like it's getting worse. I could have easily had a nap at 1pm today.

[anneasquith]

a change in sleeping patters is rubbish i know , would a coffee help you to stay awake for a wee while longer, its nearly 9 now, try another 30 minutes, and if possible try not to get too worried about it,

[bimbo123456]

I'm with System on this one. some sort of exercise, preferably in the fresh air. If you can manage a jog the adrenaline will keep you awake for a bit. Then a nice milky drink before going to bed. YOu might be one of those lucky people who don't need much sleep. Have you thought of playing online scrabble when you are awake at night? There is a brilliant site called Lexulous where you can chat and play with all sorts of folk.

[237SJ]

They say that you can only make your body clock go forwards, not backwards. You need to try to keep going hour by hour every night until you get to a time when it`s ok to go to bed. If you lay on the settee and feel yourself nodding off, get up and go for a walk to wake yourself up.

[fliptheswitch]

Thank-you anneasquith. Your answer was really kind. I think I will go in the garden for a bit and maybe take a coffee out. I got so used to going to bed at 12 and 1am that it is now really hard to get to sleep any earlier. I am really suffering though and cannot concentrate at work because of it.
Thank-you again. I will give it a go.

[Old_Geezer]

I suspect our body clocks are wanting mid day nap. During our prime we probably don't miss it, but infants and older folk like me notice it more.

Sure, gradually increase 'bed-time' as suggested. Once into a "bad" habit it can take a while for a new routine to become natural.

[anneasquith]

flip. ive just seen your other post. i hope you keep your appointment at gp on monday.

[boxtops]

I know what you mean. If OH isn't here I often sleep for an hour when I get in from work, then I can keep going until about midnight. If I go to bed earlier, I wake up at 4am.

[fliptheswitch]

old_geezer, thank-you for your answer. I'm 27 so hopefully I'm not classed as older folk just yet. Hehe. If I go to bed now I know I will just lay there awake staring at the ceiling for hours. I just can't ever seem to get to sleep at a reasonable time.
Anneasquith, I have to phone my doctors on monday morning so i'm hoping they will have an appointment for me then. Thank-you.

[fliptheswitch]

I am going to go outside for a bit now and see if I can keep myself awake for a while longer with some fresh air.
Thank-you once again. Good night. x

[askyourgran]

Been there flip and even now I'm older I stlll find it a problem to sleep and wake up at the right times. I wake around 2.30 sometimes I get up and have a drink of tea and read a book. I try to stop napping after I've had my evening meal, usually by having a coffee and coming on here or finding some chores to do. Bed around 11.30/midnight with a book which I read until my eyes droop. At the mo I'm sleeping quite well. There are others on here who are worse than I am, the answer must be don't fret too much about it, it only seems to make it worst.