Why am I awake?

[TimberWolf]

I often look forward to going to bed to watch something interesting that I've recorded on TV. I have to be careful, occasionally without success, to take off my glasses when I start to feel I am nodding off, which may only be 5 minutes in. Glasses and bed do not make good, erm, bedfellows. I'm currently trying to watch something about the Higgs boson and CERN, with Brian Cox, but sadly have only seen 5 minute sections and may have to watch it during the day. Anyway, it might be worth a go, though to be fair I think I might nod off pretty quickly anyway.

[Sysman]

This is how i've overcome this problem:

1/ Do a lot of exercise so you are physically exhausted at bedtime. An hour of focused exercise per day is plenty

2/ Leave work at 6pm

3/ Dont eat substantially after 7pm

4/ Dont look at the internet or anything mentally stimulating an hour before bed. The last hour before bed should be winding down and getting ready for the next stage of the day - sleep

5/ Glass of red wine in the evening will relax you

6/ Wake and go to bed at same time everyday

Now I sleep like a baby and I feel refreshed even though i'm doing 12 hour days reasonably often

Addition to 4. Don't watch telly an hour before bed. The brain needs time to process the images.

I was also told not to read in bed, something I've done ever since I can remember. Bed is for sleeping, not reading, apparently. To be honest this tip doesn't work for me.

[Spacecadet]

The only thing I've found over the years is to not go to bed if I'm not tired and/or ready.

The occasional lie in allows me to catch up on any extra sleep I need

[minestrone]

Boozing can mess up my sleep pattern for days.

[Churchill]

Boozing can mess up my sleep pattern for days.

WHS.

Alcohol induced coma != restful sleep.

[doodab]

I don't have insomnia, the problem is that for the last week or so my body clock has been marching to it's own drum, so my 6AM rise time has turned into 10 or 11 and I'm up till 2 or 3 every morning. Once I get to sleep I can manage a good 8 hours without difficulty, it's just that I can't do it when I want to.

It doesn't really matter at the moment but in a few days the family will be back from hols and I'll be forced to get up early again.