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UGH..HELP!!!
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Posted 2/12/2008 8:23 AM
Group: Forum Members
Active: 2/12/2008
Posts: 2
Okay, here's the thing. When it comes to my sleep habits...well...At night there seems to be no way I can fall asleep before 2 or 3am. After I lie down and start to relax it takes me approx. another 30mins-1hr before I fall asleep. I set a large number of alarms every night, and have them blasted, and play through sub-woofers off my computer. These alarms always go off at the proper time...but for some reason I can never wake up. When I do finally awake, I feel exhausted, tired, and I've missed the majority of school. Every time I wake up I have a vague remembrance of my alarm, but not of me waking up or shutting it off. No matter how many alarms I set, I somehow seem to be subconsciously be shutting them off and going back to sleep. This is affecting my life in a huge way. I am now 1 week into my second semester, and I have only shown up 1 day so far due to the fact that it was the only day I woke up, and even then I was late for my first class. Apparently the contacts my school has have been receiving phone calls and faxes about my absences. Please help! I'm afraid if I don't get help now it will be a life long problem, and I will be kicked out of school.
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Posted 3/7/2011 11:33 AM


Group: Forum Members
Active: 3/7/2011
Posts: 4

I had that problem up until I graduated school...and now I often have it with work. The reason you cannot wake up is most likely because you haven't yet gotten enough sleep and so your mind and body are trying to force you to keep sleeping until you are refreshed. It is proven that while most adults usually need six to eight hours of sleep and can do on less, teenagers need eight to ten hours of sleep to feel refreshed because their brains are still growing. You are at a crucial time. Set a time that will allow you to have somewhere between eight to ten hours of sleep. obviously if you lay down and do this tomorrow you will not feel tired at that time at all. So gradually set your bedtime a little earlier every night until you reach that time. Buy a CD of relaxing sounds. I got one that was rain and thunderstorms, played very lightly on repeat. It helped me to sleep a litle better. lay down. don't be tempted to watch tv etc, while you are trying to sleep. read lightly for a little while, or just close your eyes and count the lengh o your inhales and exhales. count to four when you breathe in, and five when you breathe out. dont let other thoughts into your mind, just focus on counting. If you think of anything else, just let the thought float out of your mind. This is a relaxation teqnique. I've found it works well for me. Also try to make sure your room is dark. Even slight lights in your room can disturb the quality of your sleep. Good luck!

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Posted 4/12/2011 11:08 AM
Group: Forum Members
Active: 4/22/2011
Posts: 11
Sounds familiar. I had all sorts of sleep problems as a teenager. My parents would send me to sleep specialists and they would have me try all sorts of routines and tricks. I've compiled a list of the ones that worked and didn't.

Something that's important that most teenagers don't get is adequate exercise. During the daytime hours you need to be exhausting your body so that at night, your body and brain are actually tired and out of energy. Also, avoid late night stimulant. Bright lights will disrupt your circadian rhythm and fool your brain into thinking it's still day. Reading, studying, using a computer or video games and eating late are all stimulating. AVOID THEM.

Some calming activities that put your brain to sleep are:
1. Meditation - Sit cross legged and breath deeply. Imagine a ball in your stomach expanding and shrinking.
2. Cleaning - Do some chores that are mindless. Like dishes or fold and putting away your clothes. Something that you could do with your eyes closed (like you were sleeping!)
3. Music - Listen to music at a low level. Preferably not hard music (remember, avoid stimulants).
4. Journal - Writing in a 'worry journal' is very affective. Get a blank book beside your bed, make sure you have lights that can be dimmed. Write whatever is in your head. From homework assignments, things you need to do that week, or thoughts and opinions. You can always throw the pages out in the morning if it makes you feel better. But getting your thoughts out on paper will clear your mind.
5. Eating - Don't eat late at night as your body needs to digest it so it can relax and go through the natural process it does to get to sleep.

Remember sleep is not always about the amount but about the quality. It is true study show teenagers need more than adults. Although sleeping restlessly for 10 hours will never be as good as sleeping for 6 hours deeply. Good luck with feeling more energized.
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