I have been waking up after 5-6 hours every night. I sometimes convince myself that something is wrong which makes it harder to fall back asleep. There are times I can easily drift back to sleep, but other times I find myself frustrated and awake for another 2-3 hours. Is this a real issue or is it just my perception making it one?
I usually sleep too much rather than too little, often sleeping 10-14 hours at a stretch. It turns out I have an underlying health condition known as POTS.
Skyler said:
I usually sleep too much rather than too little, often sleeping 10-14 hours at a stretch. It turns out I have an underlying health condition known as POTS.
Can you explain more about POTS? I’m often confused about it. I feel exhausted even after sleeping 10 hours, which feels necessary for me.
I manage about 8-9 hours of sleep but need to wake up once or twice for a bathroom break.
Pat said:
I manage about 8-9 hours of sleep but need to wake up once or twice for a bathroom break.
Aging hasn’t been kind to my sleep cycle either. The uninterrupted sleep nights are long gone due to bathroom breaks.
Pat said:
I manage about 8-9 hours of sleep but need to wake up once or twice for a bathroom break.
My routine is so predictable: sleep by 10, first wake-up at 5, then another at 6:30. It’s like clockwork.
@Auden
Your nightly schedule could inspire poetry!
The more I stress about not sleeping, the worse it gets. Sometimes, if I can’t fall back asleep, I just start my day. Tired or not, stressing over sleep never helps.
Blaine said:
The more I stress about not sleeping, the worse it gets. Sometimes, if I can’t fall back asleep, I just start my day. Tired or not, stressing over sleep never helps.
I relate so much. My insomnia became worse when I started worrying about it constantly. It even started affecting my dreams.
My sleep is split into two segments, which seems natural during winter or when I’m not exposed to enough daylight. If you’re looking to sleep straight through, consider increasing your exposure to bright light during the day.
@Ren
It sounds like the wakefulness you experience is a natural part of your body’s rhythm. Introducing more daylight could help consolidate your sleep phases.
@Ren
Could you share more about your sleep schedule and what you do during the wakeful periods at night?
Wray said:
@Ren
Could you share more about your sleep schedule and what you do during the wakeful periods at night?
Typically, I sleep from around 6 PM to 10 PM, then again from 2 AM to 6 AM. When awake at night, I keep activities low-key, like reading, to encourage returning to sleep.
@Ren
Thanks for sharing. It sounds like you manage quite well with this schedule. I might try adjusting my routine to see if it helps.
My sleep is highly erratic. I can either doze off for a short stint or plunge into a deep 16-hour sleep marathon.
I have found that cutting off caffeine after noon and not eating or drinking after 6 PM has significantly improved my sleep quality.
I tried using a sleep app that recommended I adjust my bedtime to 7:30 PM after tracking my sleep. It wasn’t practical for me, so I stopped using the app.
Cameron said:
I tried using a sleep app that recommended I adjust my bedtime to 7:30 PM after tracking my sleep. It wasn’t practical for me, so I stopped using the app.
Which sleep app was that?
Blaine said:
I follow a similar pattern of sleep, starting in my late 40s. Accepting this change rather than fighting it has helped reduce my stress and improved my overall sleep.
This change hit me out of nowhere at 57. Adjusting to a new sleep pattern has been a challenge, but I’m managing.
Cameron said:
@Clancy
It was the CBTi Coach app.
Much appreciated for the info!