Problem
One of my reoccurring problems is how I deal with sleeplessness.
If I’m tired, and can’t fall asleep… I stop trying. Instead, I get up and do something productive.
The other night at quarter to twelve I started cleaning my room. After I get started I become a cleaning zombie. Suddenly it’s quarter to two, I’m completely exhausted, and I have no problem falling to sleep.
Unfortunately, four hours later the alarm goes off. I think I need to put more effort into sleeping before throwing in the towel and hunting down the vacuum.
I have the same issue… i either walk the dogs or read, but this morning i’m a zombie because of it.
It sucks being so tired the next morning, but you are actually doing the right thing! Neurologists have done several studies with people who have insomnia trouble, and one of their major recommendations was that when you cant fall asleep, get out of bed and so something thats not mind stimulating (i.e, don’t go and reread that chapter in your text book for some extra studying, or watch a TV show that’s particularly dramatic). And even if you are up all night, still get up at the same time. Repetition of a sleep cycle is key. They also say not to read or stare at a screen (TV, computer, etc.) for at least half an hour before bed. Remove caffeine from your diet. And lastly, rearrange your room for reduced clutter and maximum darkness at night. The last one is weird with the rearrange your room bit, but the other stuff works for me!
My mom always tells me to do just that. If you can’t sleep, clean something. I don’t usually do it because cleaning is boring, but it kinda helps to know I’ve accomplished something besides memorizing the pattern the pattern on the ceiling.
I have pretty much the opposite problem - I stay up doing pointless crap when I could have easily gone to bed and fallen asleep without any trouble hours earlier.