How to wake up when my alarm clock goes off by Andrea

"Something was wrong with my physical body, not my willpower!"

How I did it: After years and years of trying to wake up early in the morning with my multitude of alarm clocks, a doctor finally diagnosed me with a circadian rhythm disorder.

Things I'd tried that never worked:
  • multiple alarms, up to 9 at one point
  • annoying alarm beeping 
  • annoying alarm music 
  • pleasurable alarm music  
  • lights on a morning timer 
  • friends calling to talk until I'm awake 
  • sleeping pills earlier in the evening 
  • just staying awake around the clock 
  • exercise later in the evening, to tire me out 
  • showering at night to save time 
  • showering in the morning to wake me up  
Nothing worked. I slept through alarms or I turned them off in my sleep. I would shower then go back to bed, never fully waking.

After keeping a sleep journal for 3 weeks, and providing other information to my doctor, he'd diagnosed me with a circadian rhythm disorder called Delayed Sleep Phrase Syndrome.

Since moving my work schedule from 9-5 to a more convenient noon-8, I've not been late to work from oversleeping!

Lessons & tips:

Many of the above tips work for other people. If they are not working for you, talk to your doctor.

Try keeping a sleep journal to track patterns. Mine showed that the best time to fall asleep is between 2-4am, and I naturally wake up around 12:30pm.

"Sleeping" is considered a major life activity for the Americans with Disabilities Act (in the US) you may be able to work with your employer to change schedule. Talk to your doctor first.

Resources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sleep_phase_syndrome


2 people found this helpful
 

Feb 18, 2010, 11:45AM PST | 0 comments | 3 cheers


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Mar 25, 2010, 09:58AM PDT


Andrea has gotten 3 cheers on this entry.

 

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