How do you wake up in the morning?

#1

Post by devonbarrett » Wed, Jan 30, 2013, 6:40 PM UTC

Being a programmer usually consists of very late nights sat in front a screen, which makes getting up the next morning increasingly difficult.

After having a few nights in a row without much/any sleep, I find no matter how many alarms I set, I am never able to wake up the next morning. To the point where I have considered an electric shock anklet!

Is this a common problem; if so how do you over come it?

Re: How do you wake up in the morning?

#2

Post by gamegoblin » Wed, Jan 30, 2013, 7:15 PM UTC

To be honest, it sounds like you should really either reconsider how you are allocating your time, or reconsider how much work you are taking on.

My alarm in the morning is the iPhone "harp" ringtone, and it wakes me up no matter how little sleep I've had.

Re: How do you wake up in the morning?

#3

Post by tokenadult » Wed, Jan 30, 2013, 7:24 PM UTC

Your problem isn't curable without starting to sleep at night earlier. Reduce your room lights and screen time early enough in the evening to give your body a cue that it is time to go to sleep.

To answer your question, in the summer here at 45 degrees north latitude I am awakened by morning sunlight. In the winter, when sunrise is later, I awaken to a "wake-up light" with a bright bulb on a timer.

Re: How do you wake up in the morning?

#4

Post by codegeek » Wed, Jan 30, 2013, 7:29 PM UTC

Honestly, we can give you short term fixes on how to wake up in the mornng without getting much sleep. In the long run, it will be really bad for you. The real issue is you not getting enough sleep. I suggest figure out a way to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep. It is worth it and you will find out how.

Having said all this, some of the below helps me "accelerate" my waking up in the morning:

- Constantly nagging wife reminding me that I will be late for work. (might not work if u r single)

- Even if your wife/partner/roomate does not nag, their waking up can help you get up (since you might hear their noise etc.)

- Really annoying alarm which is beyond an easy reach with your eyes closed.

Re: How do you wake up in the morning?

#5

Post by mrtunes » Wed, Jan 30, 2013, 7:59 PM UTC

i wrote a note about this: http://tinyurl.com/accwjd9

it's based on Steve Pavlina's advice: http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2006/04/how-to-get-up-right...

tim ferris on sleep: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tim-ferriss/11-tricks-for-perf...

Re: How do you wake up in the morning?

#6

Post by japhyr » Wed, Jan 30, 2013, 9:02 PM UTC

Have a kid. Kids are very effective alarm clocks.

Seriously, about half of my days lately I wake up on my own, anytime between 4:30 and 6:00 am. The other half I wake up to my two-year-old crying, somewhere in the same range. Either way, I love that hour or two of quiet work time before I have to go to work.

Re: How do you wake up in the morning?

#7

Post by segmondy » Wed, Jan 30, 2013, 9:49 PM UTC

Develop a stronger will. Get enough sleep. Have a consistent sleep schedule.

Re: How do you wake up in the morning?

#8

Post by mcintyre1994 » Wed, Jan 30, 2013, 10:50 PM UTC

Sleep cycles, they're incredible. Disclaimer: not a biologist. Roughly every 90 minutes you almost wake up in your sleep, if an alarm wakes you up around this point you are much much less tired than if you wake in the middle of one such cycle. On average it takes 14 minutes to fall asleep.

I use DoubleTwist on my Android phone and it works incredibly, but that's a paid app you don't really need if you do the simple math.. and of course your mileage may vary. :)

Re: How do you wake up in the morning?

#9

Post by eduardordm » Thu, Jan 31, 2013, 12:56 AM UTC

This is a common symptom of lack of physical exercise, drinking, smoking and too much weight.

You could try running, if you do it before 7pm it will help you sleep sooner and wake up more energized.

Re: How do you wake up in the morning?

#10

Post by jeremy_k » Thu, Jan 31, 2013, 1:40 AM UTC

'Being a programmer usually consists of very late nights sat in front a screen, which makes getting up the next morning increasingly difficult.'

This is your problem. Being a programmer does not have to consist of these things. I work 8-10 hours a day, after that I go to the gym to get exercise and unwind. Once I'm home, IF I'm really feeling like I want to get something done I'll allocate a single hour to work that must end before 10pm. After 10pm is no more work time. I'll do something else, usually read, until sometime before midnight. Lights out before midnight and up at 7am.

Is it very routine based? Yes. Does it get me to bed where I have a 7 hour window to sleep every night? Yes. Do I still hit the snooze button? Of course.

But getting a consistant amount of sleep means I feel good every morning and am productive the rest of the day.

Footnote: 23 and single.