Topic: I wake up in the middle of the night every night for 1-3 hours
beckyderp !8ElfFaoFao started this discussion 13 years ago #32,623
How do I fix this? I've read that it's sort of a natural thing, but it's annoying.
Anonymous B joined in and replied with this 13 years ago, 21 minutes later[^] [v] #455,077
What are you doing prior to sleep?
The "rhythm" of human relaxation cycles usually follows (roughly) 90-minute intervals. I find that I naturally sleep in 3-hour blocks. I can sleep for a three hour period or a six hour period or a nine hour period. If I wake up in the middle, I'm woozy and still feel like I need to get back to sleep. This period, obviously, differs with individuals, diet, caffeine, alcohol, anything else, stress levels, what's going on in your life, fuck knows what... So it's not the same for everyone. I've found my ideal is three hour intervals. :/
That is only my personal experience. I have no idea what you are experiencing.
Humans do experience the same progression of relaxation states and brain chemistry as they fall asleep. Normally, they sleep in several blocks at once. It sounds like you waking up in the middle of these cycles.
Are you tense? Are you anxious? I don't really have any ready answers not knowing what you are going through.
The "rhythm" of human relaxation cycles usually follows (roughly) 90-minute intervals. I find that I naturally sleep in 3-hour blocks. I can sleep for a three hour period or a six hour period or a nine hour period. If I wake up in the middle, I'm woozy and still feel like I need to get back to sleep. This period, obviously, differs with individuals, diet, caffeine, alcohol, anything else, stress levels, what's going on in your life, fuck knows what... So it's not the same for everyone. I've found my ideal is three hour intervals. :/
That is only my personal experience. I have no idea what you are experiencing.
Humans do experience the same progression of relaxation states and brain chemistry as they fall asleep. Normally, they sleep in several blocks at once. It sounds like you waking up in the middle of these cycles.
Are you tense? Are you anxious? I don't really have any ready answers not knowing what you are going through.
Anonymous C joined in and replied with this 13 years ago, 1 minute later, 22 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #455,078
Do you have your Obama stick with you when you sleep? That should help.
Anonymous B replied with this 13 years ago, 14 minutes later, 37 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #455,082
@OP
Also, not PMing people can lead to sleep disorders.
Also, not PMing people can lead to sleep disorders.
Anonymous D joined in and replied with this 13 years ago, 9 minutes later, 46 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #455,086
It's usually:
1) Noise where you live, like neighbors.
2) Bladder. Be glad you wake up for this!
1) Noise where you live, like neighbors.
2) Bladder. Be glad you wake up for this!
beckyderp !8ElfFaoFao (OP) replied with this 13 years ago, 9 minutes later, 56 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #455,093
@455,077 (B)
Huh, I've noticed the three-hours thing too.
Yeah, pretty anxious these days. I use too much caffeine. It can take me a really long time to fall asleep and I sometimes wake up an hour or two before my alarm, too, in a nervous state about everything I have to do. I have a lot of anxiety dreams about things I'm working on though sometimes they help me figure out my next steps on something.
I hope I'll learn to handle stress better, this sucks.
Huh, I've noticed the three-hours thing too.
Yeah, pretty anxious these days. I use too much caffeine. It can take me a really long time to fall asleep and I sometimes wake up an hour or two before my alarm, too, in a nervous state about everything I have to do. I have a lot of anxiety dreams about things I'm working on though sometimes they help me figure out my next steps on something.
I hope I'll learn to handle stress better, this sucks.
Anonymous B replied with this 13 years ago, 5 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #455,097
@previous (beckyderp !8ElfFaoFao)
> sometimes wake up an hour or two before my alarm
Well that's actually probably a good sign that your biological clock is working in your favor. This is normal for people who develop a routine i.e. waking up a certain time.
> I have a lot of anxiety dreams about things I'm working on
That's pretty normal too. Do you feel that these dreams are progressive? Are you working out problems in these dreams or revisiting problems that you are anxious about confronting?
Oh, are you prone to panic attacks?
> sometimes wake up an hour or two before my alarm
Well that's actually probably a good sign that your biological clock is working in your favor. This is normal for people who develop a routine i.e. waking up a certain time.
> I have a lot of anxiety dreams about things I'm working on
That's pretty normal too. Do you feel that these dreams are progressive? Are you working out problems in these dreams or revisiting problems that you are anxious about confronting?
Oh, are you prone to panic attacks?
Anonymous E joined in and replied with this 13 years ago, 32 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #455,101
Perhaps taking a Siesta in the afternoon would help?
squeegee !first/o5zA joined in and replied with this 13 years ago, 30 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #455,105
have sex with your mate. it's known as the magic hour, and more humans were conceived during that window than probably any other time. it happens because before light bulbs and candles and fire, it got dark really early, so, in the middle of the night, wake up and sex your female.
it's just a way to pass the time.
so get fucked, OP, your body is ready
it's just a way to pass the time.
so get fucked, OP, your body is ready
Anonymous B replied with this 13 years ago, 8 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #455,107
@Becky
Are you awake because you are watching the livecast game 10 of the World Chess Championship? It is very likely, right now, that a 22 year-old Viking dude will be the rockstar of the chess world for years to come. I am only awake now because this is happening.
Are you awake because you are watching the livecast game 10 of the World Chess Championship? It is very likely, right now, that a 22 year-old Viking dude will be the rockstar of the chess world for years to come. I am only awake now because this is happening.
(Edited 27 seconds later.)
DasSheeple(MC-2hot4Slovenia) joined in and replied with this 13 years ago, 1 hour later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #455,114
Go like 48 hours without sleep this weekend, on sunday go to sleep when you usually want to go to sleep, set the alarm when you want to usually wake up... there you go, you reseted your inner clock.
That's how you can kill jet-lag the quickest too.
That's how you can kill jet-lag the quickest too.
Anonymous C replied with this 13 years ago, 1 hour later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #455,120
@OP
Honk regularly, and you should sleep better.
Honk regularly, and you should sleep better.
Anonymous B replied with this 13 years ago, 1 hour later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #455,139
beckyderp !8ElfFaoFao (OP) replied with this 13 years ago, 5 minutes later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #455,141
@455,097 (B)
> > sometimes wake up an hour or two before my alarm
> Well that's actually probably a good sign that your biological clock is working in your favor. This is normal for people who develop a routine i.e. waking up a certain time.
Oh. Okay.
> > I have a lot of anxiety dreams about things I'm working on
> That's pretty normal too. Do you feel that these dreams are progressive? Are you working out problems in these dreams or revisiting problems that you are anxious about confronting?
Working out problems mostly. They're helpful sometimes--I have come up with good case strategies in dreams, "remembered" in one dream a statute that proved pivotal in a case I was struggling with, lets me work through problems with relationships with people irl.
> Oh, are you prone to panic attacks?
No. I only had one awhile (years) back, when I was in sort of rough shape mentally for a bunch of reasons.
> > sometimes wake up an hour or two before my alarm
> Well that's actually probably a good sign that your biological clock is working in your favor. This is normal for people who develop a routine i.e. waking up a certain time.
Oh. Okay.
> > I have a lot of anxiety dreams about things I'm working on
> That's pretty normal too. Do you feel that these dreams are progressive? Are you working out problems in these dreams or revisiting problems that you are anxious about confronting?
Working out problems mostly. They're helpful sometimes--I have come up with good case strategies in dreams, "remembered" in one dream a statute that proved pivotal in a case I was struggling with, lets me work through problems with relationships with people irl.
> Oh, are you prone to panic attacks?
No. I only had one awhile (years) back, when I was in sort of rough shape mentally for a bunch of reasons.
Anonymous D replied with this 13 years ago, 2 minutes later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #455,142
@previous (beckyderp !8ElfFaoFao)
You ignored the main issue. It could just be bladder or noise related. Maybe you eat or drink stuff within a few hours of bedtime. Maybe there's noise around where you live.
You ignored the main issue. It could just be bladder or noise related. Maybe you eat or drink stuff within a few hours of bedtime. Maybe there's noise around where you live.
beckyderp !8ElfFaoFao (OP) replied with this 13 years ago, 1 minute later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #455,143
beckyderp !8ElfFaoFao (OP) double-posted this 13 years ago, 14 seconds later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #455,144
Anonymous H joined in and replied with this 13 years ago, 7 minutes later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #455,145
If you're always like this, there probably isn't anything you can do. Get some sedatives or sleeping pills prescribed or something.
beckyderp !8ElfFaoFao (OP) replied with this 13 years ago, 7 minutes later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #455,148
@previous (H)
Okay. Thank you.
Actually that reminds me, I used to be addicted to OTC sleep medicine. I don't think my sleeping was as bad before that. Wonder if it has anything to do with it.
Okay. Thank you.
Actually that reminds me, I used to be addicted to OTC sleep medicine. I don't think my sleeping was as bad before that. Wonder if it has anything to do with it.
dreamworks joined in and replied with this 13 years ago, 15 minutes later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #455,151
Anonymous H replied with this 13 years ago, 1 minute later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #455,152
@455,148 (beckyderp !8ElfFaoFao)
Oh shit, sorry to bring it up. It could be related - maybe something you could ask your doctor about? Not sure how helpful they could be, though. :s
Oh shit, sorry to bring it up. It could be related - maybe something you could ask your doctor about? Not sure how helpful they could be, though. :s
Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx replied with this 13 years ago, 15 minutes later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #455,159
squeegee !first/o5zA replied with this 13 years ago, 33 minutes later, 7 hours after the original post[^] [v] #455,165
Anonymous B replied with this 13 years ago, 17 hours later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #455,295
@455,141 (beckyderp !8ElfFaoFao)
> Working out problems mostly. They're helpful sometimes--
Well, at least you're not having nightmares about it. If you are working shit out on some level, then there is progress. If these ideas are useful to you, then they serve a purpose. If they are not useful and are just "things I wish wouldn't happen" scenarios, then you are not working out problems; You are just entertaining morbid fantasies about how you fail.
I'm glad to know you aren't the type to have panic attacks.
On an unrelated note: I had a friend a while back who had panic attacks. She said that her remedy was to find peanut butter. I thought this was odd, but once I got to know her I felt it made more sense. When a panic attack struck, she would feel it coming on and give herself a simple, yet easy, goal to attain. If she could do something simple (but requiring a series of steps) like: find peanut butter in the cupboard, retie your shoes, talk to someone, etc. (speculate now about how OCD and panic attacks are related...) Then she could feel better. It was the "goal-completion" and sense of relief that stopped the feeling of impending deadline-doom in its tracks. Substituting one goal for another is fun and all, but don't get sidetracked playing video games.
Anyway, Beckers... I have no idea how introspective you are, but please be aware that doubts gnawing at your consciousness is normal (like most things) up to a point. I'm not sure what you are going through, and you will probably have to work it out in your own way. People have trouble sleeping all the time because of shit they can't stop thinking about. That's normal. You're not the grand exception. Just roll with it; try to deal with it as best you can. And try to get some (preferably not chemically induced) sleep.
> Working out problems mostly. They're helpful sometimes--
Well, at least you're not having nightmares about it. If you are working shit out on some level, then there is progress. If these ideas are useful to you, then they serve a purpose. If they are not useful and are just "things I wish wouldn't happen" scenarios, then you are not working out problems; You are just entertaining morbid fantasies about how you fail.
I'm glad to know you aren't the type to have panic attacks.
On an unrelated note: I had a friend a while back who had panic attacks. She said that her remedy was to find peanut butter. I thought this was odd, but once I got to know her I felt it made more sense. When a panic attack struck, she would feel it coming on and give herself a simple, yet easy, goal to attain. If she could do something simple (but requiring a series of steps) like: find peanut butter in the cupboard, retie your shoes, talk to someone, etc. (speculate now about how OCD and panic attacks are related...) Then she could feel better. It was the "goal-completion" and sense of relief that stopped the feeling of impending deadline-doom in its tracks. Substituting one goal for another is fun and all, but don't get sidetracked playing video games.
Anyway, Beckers... I have no idea how introspective you are, but please be aware that doubts gnawing at your consciousness is normal (like most things) up to a point. I'm not sure what you are going through, and you will probably have to work it out in your own way. People have trouble sleeping all the time because of shit they can't stop thinking about. That's normal. You're not the grand exception. Just roll with it; try to deal with it as best you can. And try to get some (preferably not chemically induced) sleep.
(Edited 2 minutes later.)
Anonymous H replied with this 13 years ago, 46 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #455,297
@previous (B)
> On an unrelated note: I had a friend a while back who had panic attacks. She said that her remedy was to find peanut butter. I thought this was odd, but once I got to know her I felt it made more sense. When a panic attack struck, she would feel it coming on and give herself a simple, yet easy, goal to attain.
That sounds like a clever but potentially bad way of dealing with them. Creating routines like that is how people develop compulsions that worsen panic attacks or actually cause them, as in anticipatory anxiety/panic when her favoured thing to do becomes unavailable.
I'd be interested to hear how it worked out for her.
> On an unrelated note: I had a friend a while back who had panic attacks. She said that her remedy was to find peanut butter. I thought this was odd, but once I got to know her I felt it made more sense. When a panic attack struck, she would feel it coming on and give herself a simple, yet easy, goal to attain.
That sounds like a clever but potentially bad way of dealing with them. Creating routines like that is how people develop compulsions that worsen panic attacks or actually cause them, as in anticipatory anxiety/panic when her favoured thing to do becomes unavailable.
I'd be interested to hear how it worked out for her.
Anonymous B replied with this 13 years ago, 11 hours later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #455,391
@previous (H)
Hers are infrequent and relatively minor, so this seems to work for her. I could see where coping in such a way could seriously snowball into bigger problems though.
Hers are infrequent and relatively minor, so this seems to work for her. I could see where coping in such a way could seriously snowball into bigger problems though.
Triptych !IupsXZPnnU joined in and replied with this 13 years ago, 6 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #455,394
@455,295 (B)
That is quite interesting. I was told to breathe into my belly, not my chest, in for 3 and out for 5. That helps with the panicky stuff sometimes, but not always.
That is quite interesting. I was told to breathe into my belly, not my chest, in for 3 and out for 5. That helps with the panicky stuff sometimes, but not always.
Anonymous K joined in and replied with this 13 years ago, 42 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #455,411
@OP
Smoke weed two hours before your bed time. Enjoy high, mellow out into cozy slumber.
Smoke weed two hours before your bed time. Enjoy high, mellow out into cozy slumber.
Syntax joined in and replied with this 13 years ago, 13 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #455,413
@OP
Coffee after 4PM always fucks up my sleep cycle. (rare exceptions)
Yet for some reason Coffee ice cream does no harm.
Coffee after 4PM always fucks up my sleep cycle. (rare exceptions)
Yet for some reason Coffee ice cream does no harm.
Anonymous K replied with this 13 years ago, 3 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #455,415
Anonymous M joined in and replied with this 13 years ago, 10 hours later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #455,556
beckyderp !8ElfFaoFao (OP) replied with this 13 years ago, 13 hours later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #455,721
@455,295 (B)
Interesting, thank you anon. It's mostly just school- and work-related stress. I have, in the past, been pretty bad about numbing things with sleep meds or alcohol when I'm going through a stressful spell, so these kind of sleep problems are weird. Also I'm on happy pills which can make for really vivid, strange dreams.
Interesting, thank you anon. It's mostly just school- and work-related stress. I have, in the past, been pretty bad about numbing things with sleep meds or alcohol when I'm going through a stressful spell, so these kind of sleep problems are weird. Also I'm on happy pills which can make for really vivid, strange dreams.