i'm only getting 4-6 hrs of sleep!!??

Question

i'm 17 and i just can not sleep at nights...there are some nights i can go without sleep at all..but on a regular basis i'm getting from around 4-6 hours of sleep...how is this unhealthy? what can i do to be tired and want sleep and GET sleep. i'm tired during the day but once night hits i'm not tired at alll..i get all sorts of energy. and the thought of sleeping seriously scares me..whats wrong with me?

Answer 1

Man, don't stress it...I'm like that too. There are a lot of people like that in the world. Hell, I can go all week on about 12 hours of sleep, and never sick or anything. Of course, I usually make up for it on weekends, but don't worry about it. Sooner or later you'll catch back up on your regular sleeping patterns. But if you are freaking about about it, talk to your mom or dad and maybe they can get you set up in one of those sleep clinics overnight and a doctor can monitor your sleep patterns to see if something can be done to correct the situation.

Answer 2

1) Sit and relax before you hit the bed. Listen to soft music and do deep breathing exercises. These will calm you and help you sleep. Come what may, do not consume caffeine, alcohol or nicotine before you sleep.

2) Formulate a bedtime routine, for the evening, which can be associated with sleeping. For example, drinking hot milk and having a warm water bath can be really helpful. Milk contains tryptophan which induces sleep while a bath / shower lowers the internal body temperature thereby signaling the body that its time to sleep. An equally effective alternative is chamomile tea, which is known to calm nerves.

3) Avoid activities like eating; watching TV, reading etc. in your bedroom as the body is unable to associate sleep with the bedroom. Your bedroom should be a dark and cozy place, which gives you the feeling of comfort and security.

4) Before you sleep, always empty your mind of thoughts for the next day. Make a to-do list, organize clothes for the morning, and prepare lunch a night before. Delay appointments in case you worry about getting up early.

Answer 3

Most teenagers have this problem, actually. The changes your body is going through with puberty aren't finished, and they can play havoc with your body's circadian rhythms (sense of when it's day or night). Please DO NOT try to use sleeping pills to fix the problem; it can actually make things worse. Here are a few things you
-can- do:
1) Knock off or limit your caffeine intake, including soda, coffee, and tea. If you really can't do without it, make it a morning thing only.
2) Keep a regular schedule, particularly in the evenings. Do all your homework right when you get home from school; homework stress can aggravate your wonky sleep patterns.
3) It may seem weird, but watching TV or sitting at the computer right before bed actually makes it harder to fall asleep! Try to log off or turn off at least 3 hours before you want to fall asleep.
4) Try to have a nightly "wind-down" routine. A hot shower followed by comfy Pj's and settling down in a dark room can work wonders. Keep a really boring book next to your bed for a sleep boost.
5) DO NOT eat a big meal right before bed! Besides causing you to gain extra weight, it revs your body up--digesting food makes the blood pump faster.

If all this fails, it's time to see your family doctor. Good luck!

Answer 4

Talk to your doctor about this, it may be a medical problem that isn't allowing you to sleep. Also, try not to eat anything at least 2-3 hours before bed, eating and snacking isn't doing anything but giving your body food for energy to burn. Drinking too much soda during the day can leave you with sleepless nights too. I use to get tired during the day and I'd head straight for the caffeine. Cut out or at least down on the sodas and drink more water. Something that works pretty good for me is a glass of milk
shortly before bed. But if anything, don't get hooked on sleeping aids like tylenol pm or other pills if you can help it. It just isn't good for your body.

Answer 5

I had a similar problem before, and I'm 18 now, but problem solved - get these three things: 300mg Magnesium (Citrate) tablets, low dose melatonin (1mg or less), and a regular Benadryl pills. Take the magnesium EVERY night before bed, as well as the melatonin - but you might wanna try and ween yourself of the melatonin eventually. The Benadryl will come in handy for those nights where you're feeling unbelievebly wired or whatever, but you don't wanna stay on drowsy pills like that - its not too healthy and you'll wake up kinda drowsy. The stuff in Benadryl is the same as the stuff in other OTC sleeping pills, but usually cheaper. Your best bet is probably melatonin and magnesium though - worked for me, and a healthy choice.

Hope this helps,
Phil

Answer 6

Well, I don't know if you have a medical problem or not, but this is what "I" did when I went through that. I started drinking green tea without caffeine, at night before bed, like 2 hours before bed. I
would take a walk for 1 mile, then shower & drink my tea. It is soothing on the nerves, and it's also an antioxident. I also put a half teaspoon of honey to make it taste better. Good luck.

Answer 7

Are you napping or sleeping during the day-if so STOP, How active are you-if you sit mostly during the day or do not get any exercise*exercise gives you energy for the day so when night comes your body is tired. Have you thought of WHY does serious sleep scare you-do you have bad dreams,scared of not waking up-serious reasons why you may be scared to sleep. This may be difficult at first but you need to establish a regular every day Am and PM Routine for it will eventually be habit to your inner body clock. Decide on a time and set alarm that you will get UP in the AM and set alarm for time you will go to bed in the PM I suggest 10AM and no later than 11AM. Start winding down approx 1/2 to 3/4 of a hr before set time-- take a warm bath/shower(warmth relaxes) do Pm clean face routine and dress in bed clothes then approx 10 min.before actual lying down time drink a cup of hot milk(comfortable to dink)for the heating of the milk releases substances that relax,induce sleep go to bed. It can also help to get one of the scape-water and so on tapes to further relax the brain. If you cannot go to sleep right away(usually things running around in your head-do not toss and turn but get a book and read in bed until thoughts gone.feel relaxed,tired. If you cannot sleep get up at the set time and do not sleep until the set PM time -if aafter 3 days you are still having these problems then see a family doctor who'll determine if you need further medical help. He may give you some pills to start the slep cycle but the scheduled routine is important for eventually you have to stop the pills esp if habit forming. DO NOT Take over the counter esp TYlenol PM-not meant to take days in a row and Tylenol can damage Kidneys/Liver-talk to Doctor first. Also no Caffeine-cokes,soft drinks after 7PM that have caffeine. It is important that you get exercise-join track or jog on your own approx 1hr each day-any activity that is aerobic-biking,swimming,dancing,even fast walking- Best in the AM but since school can do homework first and then do or get Workout DVD---will get your body on even keel-you'll sleep-also good for skin,hair,and weight control Good Luck that you';ZZZZZZZZZZZ

Answer 8

You have a fear of sleeping? You may want to talk to your doctor if this is the case. Try some simple things first off and see if they help before making the appointment.

Avoid all food and drink 3-4 hours before bed.
(Especially caffeinated drinks.)

Do not do any strenuous, fast paced activities late in the evening. For example go for your walk or do any exercising before dinner if possible.

Let your eyes adjust with your mind. Your brain naturally works with your eyes to induce sleep. Dimming the lights or watching TV with the lights off or dimmed before bed "sets the mood" for sleep.

Taking one over the counter strength pill of Benadryl allergy medicine will make you just sleepy enough to want to hit the sack.

Answer 9

8 hours are recommended a night. Try sleeping pills? If you start sleeping regularly then you'll find your sleep patterns will even themselves out and you'll start getting tired at night and awake during the day again. Just get yourself into a regular, decent sleep pattern.

Answer 10

You said you're tired during the day. Do you sleep during the day? If so, don't. Take a week and resist going to sleep during daytime. I bet you'll be sleeping at night with no problems.