I'm soo sleepy everyday, HELP!

[Johnny Mullet]

I am 37 years old and sleep 5 hours per day. I cannot really sleep any longer than that for some reason. I also am too darn busy at work to even think about sleeping or being tired.

[bikin' Ed]

Quality of sleep is as important as quantity. Physical activity during the day can yeild a better quality of sleep. As young as you are, you should be getting lots of activity (or workouts) in during the course a day. I know you're busy--we all are--but you only have one chance at life. Keep healthy from the start. Lack of sleep can cause a number of maladies later.

[groar]

Next time you see a doctor talk about that to him. It may be your body fighting a small virus. Some virus are present in 50% of people but only a very small percentage will have to fight against them, often right after another virus fighting. It may also be not enough sun : stay outside half an hour per day before 10am or after 6pm; may be can you get your breakfast outside ?

A few years ago I was feeling tired but it was only cafeine and sugar "excess". In fact I didn't changed my habit, but my body couldn't manage so much anymore. Now I avoid cafeine after noon and lower my sugar consumption. Read drinks' etiquettes and calculate how many liters correspond to 1 pound of sugar; hint : not so many...

Denis.

[RH77]

Originally Posted by bikin' Ed

Quality of sleep is as important as quantity.

...

Originally Posted by groar

Now I avoid cafeine after noon and lower my sugar consumption.

Ed has a very good point -- quality is important. I know caffeine may be a good afternoon boost, but experiment with limiting its quantity after a target hour.

Alcohol can be quite bad on the sleep pattern. It's common for folks to have a drink in the evening, but brain waves during critical sleep stages are much different. You'll get the REM sleep, but not the bridge waves immediately after. In these cases people wake up right after dreaming. This can leave you foggy and tired the next day.

Exercise is good, but tough to do if you're depressed.

Do you have trouble getting to sleep or nap in the afternoon?

RH77

[tasdrouille]

I used to be fine with 5-6 hours. Since I got my son I need more like 7-8.

I would suggest taking a 15 minutes nap right after lunch, that might help you make it through the afternoon. No need to lay down. Just find a quite place where you can comfortably rest your head and close you eyes. I had a desk with my name on it in a corner of the library when I was in college.

[whitevette]

Originally Posted by RH77

I'll disagree -- I could sleep for 12 hours a night, but I feel better and I'm more productive on 6.5. Everyone is different, though -- so...

Have your doctor draw some blood and (if they're good) run a panel on Thyroid, Monospot, Blood Count, Chemistries, etc. Otherwise, patterns may indicate Depression/Anxiety.

Do you take a multivitamin? Sometimes miscellaneous vitamins or minerals are a missing link in this situation.

RH77

The above is good advice ( multi-vitamins are cheap-and good Rx). A medical opinion is excellent, as is a 2nd opinion to verify.

Every one IS different, especially their metabolisms. See a Dr., see a 2nd Dr. to catch what might have been missed! Sleep well!

[Zukibot]

Lots of good advice given..

For your internal clock and melatonin production, try going outside (get some sun) for 10 or 15 minutes first thing in the morning. - Within the first 10 or 15 minutes upon waking.

At night when you're going to sleep, make sure that it is completely dark... No lights on, and no TV left on.

[truckncycle]

Follow the same pattern every day - get up at the same time and go to bed at the same time.

Have you ever been bitten by a tick? I know that Lyme disease can really wipe you out.

When I took Alpha blockers they really wiped me out.

[ankit]

Originally Posted by RH77

Do you have trouble getting to sleep or nap in the afternoon?

RH77

I have trouble trying to stay awake. I have tried to break the habit of napping in the afternoon but it didn't work out. Just ended up napping later on in the day (6-7 o clock nap instead of 3 o clock nap). That's really not a help because then I would have trouble getting to sleep at night so I just cede to the 3 o clock nap now.

Originally Posted by bikin' Ed

Quality of sleep is as important as quantity. Physical activity during the day can yeild a better quality of sleep. As young as you are, you should be getting lots of activity (or workouts) in during the course a day. I know you're busy--we all are--but you only have one chance at life. Keep healthy from the start. Lack of sleep can cause a number of maladies later.

My new year's resolution lasted longer than normal. I got exercise everyday until about one month ago. Now physical exercise doesn't even cross my mind. Not to say that I am out of shape or anything. But I just don't exercise as much as I should. I guess I'll get back on to that a couple of times a week.

Originally Posted by whitevette

The above is good advice ( multi-vitamins are cheap-and good Rx).

Mom was talking to her sister today and apparently my cousin has the same issue. He takes vitamins and has a better day. But he said that he works better and more refreshed when he only gets 5-6 hours of sleep.

Originally Posted by truckncycle

Have you ever been bitten by a tick? I know that Lyme disease can really wipe you out.

Not that I know of. Not much of an camping kind outdoors man.

[ankit]

I can't find the post but someone here suggested that I try breathing deeply when I start to get groggy in class. WOW! It actually worked. By the 3rd semi-deep breath I was awake for a couple of minute. I cut my groggy time in school from 30 minutes in physics to less than 15. Thanks.

Breakfast seemed to help, but I just wasn't hungry enough to eat more than a bagel.