bad morning person

puddles59

hi everyone just wondering if theres any ideas as to how i might make sure i wake up in the am for work .i never hear my phone alarm and i ve just started a new job which means early shifts. im really worried about this . a jcb would nt wake me please help. cheers.:mad:

ABajaninCork

Are you accustomed to sleeping in until late, OP? You need to re-set your body clock. It'll take a couple of weeks, but eventually, you'll be waking up at the appropriate time without help from the alarm clock. Go to bed earlier, and try not to play games, go on the computer, or watch telly. In fact, I would remove all gadgets from the room. I'm personally not a fan of TV's in bedrooms (although we do have one - mu husband watches TV there), nor games consoles. Make your bedroom as calming and relaxing as possible.

In the meantime. Do you hear your mobile? I'd set the alarm on that really loud. How about your Mum? Are you able to get her to ring you in the mornings? I'd get a couple of cheap alarm clocks (you can get them in the pound shops), and set them fast (about 10-15mins). Set them to ring at different times as well.

judgefudge

Have you got a steady sleep routine? And how much do you sleep? It could be just the case that once you're in a routine your body will naturally begin to wake up at the same time each day. I have had a lot of trouble with sleep in the past but found the only way to deal with it was to go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time each day, even at the weekends if possible.

If you really just sleep through anything you could try the old classics - really loud alarm clock kept across the room, drink loads of water before bed, or I think you can get alarm clocks now with lights that make the room illuminate like it would when the sun comes up. Although the mornings are getting pretty bright now so I don't know if that will help. Is there anyone who could help wake you to get you into a routine?

DoozerT6

I have heard of people who cannot wake up in the morning putting their alarm clock (the old fashioned type with the two bells on the top!!) into an empty biscuit tin and putting it beside them. The extra noise of the clock rattling around in the empty tin should hopefully work. You could even try two alarm clocks (in separate tins) set for 10 mins apart.

Do you house share/live at home? Could someone else physically bang on your door until you get up? Realistically though, if you need REALLY loud alarms etc. you could end up waking up (and annoying!) everybody else you live with. Just a thought.

Stavro Mueller

I agree with the steady sleep routine. Boring and all as it sounds it does work.

As for the alarms, have you tried an alarm clock with an annoying ring to it? What I found with a clock radio was that I'd be sort of singing along to the songs while I was awake/asleep. The same could apply to a phone's alarm if it plays something nice and melodic. Have you tried using an alarm clock that makes horrible shrill noises?

Ceiteach

Sleeping with the curtains open helps as well, as the natural light in the morning will help you wake up.

Overheal

if you want steady waking you need steady sleeping. Favorite late night TV program? Record it. Ignore the other distractions. Trouble sleeping? Theres a few things to try. One is to download f.lux for your PC which will help negate the monitor's knack for tricking your body into perceiving it as daylight; the other is check your pharmacy for over the counter rememdies - and Im not talking about abusing NyQuil or anything else stupid! Ask your pharmacist for professional advice about melatonin. You can also look into chai and other tea which will really make you drowsy (and if you drink 3 teabags at once like I've been occasionally known to, also gives a good buzz)

puddles59

thank u all so much for the advice i will certainly take all on b oard . will certainly consider going back to the old fashioned clock (perhaps even in the biscuit tin ) great idea . cheers everyone .

looksee

I know this will sound daft, but if you say to yourself (aloud if necessary) I need to wake up at 7. Really think about it. Try it!

Dark Phoenix

put the alarm clock across the room. Im useless in the mornings and even if I do hear my alarm - if its near me I will just turn it off in my sleep. However if its across the room I have to get out of bed and go get it to turn it off and stop the noise at which point you are on your feet and awake

Morgase

Overheal wrote: »

Ask your pharmacist for professional advice about melatonin.

You can't get it over the counter here. I know you can get it off the shelf in the US which is probably why you suggested it, but I think the OP will have to go with something a bit milder in Ireland!

OP, I think routine is really helpful. Be sure to be in bed by a certain time, and avoid TV and computer screens for a bit before bed. Try to get up at the same time each day, even on your days off. Maybe if you get enough good quality sleep it might be easier to wake up in the mornings.

Turtwig

As has already been mentioned leave the curtains open. Though your mileage may very depending on how much sunlight you receive. If you can leave the window in your bedroom slightly open. If it's too cold, then don't do it, or if it's a security risk. Leave a glass of water beside your bed. When the alarm goes off poor the water on your face. Have one alarm close to your bed. Place another alarm some distance away from the bed, requiring you to get up. Set it so it goes off five minutes later than the first alarm and if possible have it ask you solve a series of maths problem or insert a bunch of Captcha codes. There are android and Iphone apps that enable this.

Overheal

Morgase wrote: »

You can't get it over the counter here. I know you can get it off the shelf in the US which is probably why you suggested it, but I think the OP will have to go with something a bit milder in Ireland!

Sadface! I have a big fat bottle of it. Its lasted me years, I only use it when I really cant sleep.

Go to the grocery store and take a look at the herbal remedy teas. Chai and somethingsomething root are good for feelings of drowsiness.

RossFixxxed

I would encourage getting up early every single morning. Including the weekends. If you decide to have a nice lie in, get up anyway at 7 (or whatever time), do your teeth, have some water and move around. Then go back to bed for the lie in.

I was the absolute worst at this, nearly lost a few jobs I was so bad. I started getting up at 6 a.m. no matter what, and quite quickly found myself getting very tired around 10 O clock, so I started going to bed around then. I vary my bed time, but once I zone out at the TV or can't read a page of a book properly it's time to hit the hay.

If you can't get to sleep that early go anyway. After 30 mins or so get up again for 15 mins and read, have a glass of water or whatever, and then go back to bed.

It's a routine and it takes time to do it. It took me absolutely ages, and you can fall off the wagon. That said I feel about 100 times better now I have the routine! If I can do it, ANYONE can. Seriously!

I found going out for a little stroll on a Saturday/Sunday morning around 7 to be great. It's quiet and peaceful and you have more of a weekend. It feels a little like discovering a seceret time all to yourself!

Best of luck, give yourself time and patience!