(no subject)

[kamianya]

So, I'm in major training mode. I get to be in training for 9-10 hours each day now. I'm learning loads, seem to be taking it in, doing well on the quizzes that seem to be there mostly to make sure we're on track and understanding, and participating well in conference calls.
But the hours are brutal for me.
So, my question is, those of you who had to go to a work schedule from a college/grad schedule, what did you do? After not having to be up until 11 at the earliest, 2 at the latest this past semester, my body is not ready to go to bed at midnight, but I need to be up each morning at 8:30.
So, suggestions majorly appreciated.

Comments

[lightgamer.livejournal.com]

Honestly, the thing that works for me is to pick a day when you can afford to be a little out of it, get four or fewer hours of sleep the night before, and then just collapse into bed at your new desired bedtime. This works to get me onto a new schedule, but I don't know that it would work for everyone.

[sindrian.livejournal.com]

A few tips that have worked for me:
Consistency. Climb into bed and get up at the same time every day. If you stick to your new schedule, and as long as you're allowing yourself enough sleep time, your body should adjust in a week or so. This is a must if you want to change your sleep schedule.
Try to get in some serious physical activity at some point in your day (running, dancing moving heavy stuff, etc.). Just 10 minutes or so should be enough to make a difference. Also, avoid anything that might excite you for an hour before you want to fall asleep. I've found that if I play video games late I have a harder time turning my brain off. Same for action movies or TV, exciting books, etc.
You might try meditation as a way to help you relax for sleep as well.

Hope this helps!

[mrpaladin.livejournal.com]

Also, avoid Caffeine. Dont drink anything wtih Caffeine in it after noontime, becasue it stays in your system quite a while.

[pokedigimaniac.livejournal.com]

Along with all the other helpful things people have already said, part of what's helped me is the following:

- Take a shower when you wake up in the morning.
- Be sure to eat something REAL for breakfast - I have an enriched English muffin with healthy peanut butter and jelly.
- Start winding down towards bed a hour before your desired bed time - step away from the computer, turn off the TV, and go get ready for bed and read a book or something. (Upon looking again, I see numath did already say this.)
- Don't eat anything past 8:30-9 if you can help it, even for snacks/dessert. It'll give you a burst of energy.
- Keep a stable eating schedule of 3 meals a day. It really helps bring everything else in sync.

[sindrian.livejournal.com]

That reminds me!
Spending ten to fifteen minutes stretching in the morning is another great way to help yourself wake up. I did this myself for several months and it was great.

[blimix.livejournal.com]

Blue light therapy right after you wake up. I've only tried it once, and it worked, or the placebo effect worked, or it coincided with my improbably shifting to an earlier sleep cycle (which I find very hard to do). It doesn't take any time out of your day if you do it the way I did. (Though it is in fact much easier to do in Firefox than in Opera as I did.)