I think I recall reading about some scientific study a few years ago that explained some kind of actual biological difference between early risers and their nocturnal counterparts. It was a far cry from the conventional wisdom we're used to hearing that dismisses the latter as lazy and unmotivated. My whole life I've been a night person. I can't explain it. Even if I get a good 8 hours of sleep at night, I'm still either sluggish during the day or at the least, not really focused on whatever task is at hand. On the other hand, if I sleep during the day, and stay up at night, I'm so fine tuned and focused on my work, and wide awake. It doesn't make sense - I'm getting the same amount of sleep in both scenarios. Anyways, this presents problems for obvious reasons. Any suggestions? PS: I don't drink coffee. If I don't need it to stay alert on nights, it should work the other way around.
Eat a low fat diet, only eat during the day, and get lots of sunshine. All three screw with your circadian rhythm. There is only so much you can do, however, as you said much of your sleep tendencies are genetic. This link is only partially related, but it's a neat website anyway. http://www.thebrainrules.com/
There is only so much you can do, And I doubt you will ever be completely comfortable with a "normal" sleep pattern.......
I used to be the classic night person. Diet change and/or a moderate workout early in the morning completely reversed it. I think being a day person is healthier too.
It's all habit my friend...I still consider myself a night person but I can now wake up M-F at 6:30AM. I just get up and wash my face, if I can make it that far I'm good. Otherwise if I do the 5 more minutes thing, I will be in bed for at least another 20 minutes. Only problem is... if I can do this through the winter!
Seems like there are a lot of us night owls here at CF. Lets all start a company where we work at night.
Go to bed earlier. If I go to bed before 10:00, I have no problem in the mornings. If not, it's kinda hit or miss. /Captain Obvious
Even when I wake up early, lets say 7am. And I have had only 3-4hrs of sleep I would be tired all day long. But by the time 9pm roles around I will actually be more alert, catch second wind, and have trouble getting sleep until the AMs despite being sleep deprived. Crazy huh.
Exactly what Ziggy just said. It doesn't matter how much sleep I get, 8, even 10 hours (I know too much sleep has the opposite effect, this is just to illustrate my point), with a full night's rest I'm still groggy throughout the day. On the other hand, I could sleep just 5 hours in the day and be a fine tuned machine in the wee hours of the night. As far as lifestyle changes, I workout regularly, but also do eat pretty a pretty unhealthy diet. I full well understand how diet can affect one throughout the diet, but why would it only affect me during the day but not affect alertness at night?
It's impossible. I'm a dad... a husband.... for years I've had to wake up early and go to work on a regular basis... 've gone to bed early on a regular basis. I don't consume caffiene. I don't smoke. I eat relatively healthily. I get enough exercise. None of it matters. I'm still a night person.
I'm a night person, as well. I've often said that if I could get court dockets set in the afternoons or evenings my office hours would be something like noon to 9pm. And I've tried EVERYTHING through the years. Changing my evening routine, when and what I eat, shutting everything down early, sleep aids, melatonin...You name it. Then, the lack of sleep (or knowing that you have to get up early and dreading having trouble getting to sleep) compounds the stress that already exists. It's crazy. Glad to know I'm not the only one that deals with this crap.
I have the same issues.. Even when I sleep earlier, I can consistently wake up early...but that doesn't mean I'll function properly until the afternoon/evening. But I also have a pretty unhealthy diet..seems to be a commonality. I'll believe that could play a huge role.
What helped me is jogging. If I manage to get in a jog in the morning after a small breakfast, I am much more bright and alert for the rest of the day.
I eat great. Exercise regularly. Never smoke. Only vices are weekend binge drinking and consumption of a lot (8per day min) diet drinks. Night person... During the day I feel like my brain is in a fog, I feel less confident, less caring, can have ADD like tendencies, can't focus, don't care to converse with others, etc... Machine at night.
Dude you just described me. Even when I'm awake during the day, I can't really stay focused. At night, I become an absolute machine. My concentration becomes impeccable and my motivation levels soar. I would kill to be like that with when the sun is up.
Less masturbation, a LOT less, we day people know what you night people are up to...surfing all that pron. DD