So I just fucked up my sleep schedule

[SantoUno]

Today I was trying to get my English 102 homework out of the way, read two extremely boring and cryptic selections and write a bunch of shit about them. The second one finally put me to sleep from being so bored. I didn't want to sleep because then I wouldn't be able to sleep now and I get up at 6AM. But I succumbed and just slept.

And holy shit...

I wake up at 10:11PM, thinking to myself "what now? Can I possibly keep sleeping till morning or will I sacrifice a night of sleep?"

So here I am, after midnight, finishing the homework I was supposed to finish a few hours ago.

I'm trying to think about what to do. Even after I finish my HW at last I won't be able to sleep for sure. I just ate some food containing lots of sodium (at least that's what I think keeps you awake) so I might not sleep at all until tomorrow. I got about 5 hours to spend in my room. Any suggestions? How do any of you deal with situations like these when you can't sleep?

Oh and you insomniacs please don't come in and brag about how you don't sleep till 5AM or something like that. This is obviously referring to people with normal sleep schedules so please keep that in mind.

 

[Julianking93]

when I can't sleep, I usually masturbate.

That puts me to sleep instantly.

If you just want something to do, then I don't know, read a book or something. That'll put you to bed.

And, not bragging at all, but I usually don't go to bed until around 5. I haven't slept before 4 am in over 6 years.

 

[The Infinite]

This has happened to me a couple of times, and it has sucked profusely. What I did for the random amount of time in between was play my DS, any turn-based strategy game will put you out in like 5 minutes. Though If you can't actually fall asleep I suggest watching some shows or do a bit of gaming. Hey you have nothing else to do so just do what you normally do during the day.

 

[RivFader86]

keep yourself awake the rest of the day and go to bed early..and POOF your back on your regular schedule the next day

 

[Brickcups]

Seems like you have the right idea. Games/internet always work if you are planning on staying up. Why not just try to go back to sleep? I mean five hours seems like plenty of time left to catch a few z's. Oh well, back to work for me =P. (if you can't sleep try something like a warm drink? milk or tea should get the job done)

 

[demoman_chaos]

Its caffine that keeps you up.
Soda and video games keeps me up, though be sure to have a late night meal, you need the energy.
All else fails, do some push-ups or something.

 

[sylekage]

I fucked up my sleep schedule a loooong time ago, but heres my opinion.

First, stay up until the next day, keeping yourself busy and the like, then go to bed at your regular time, but make sure you get up when you want. You're going to want to sleep in but you have to force yourself awake. if you do this for a couple of days, you'll be back to normal.

 

[SantoUno]

keep yourself awake the rest of the day and go to bed early..and POOF your back on your regular schedule the next day

This is what I was already thinking, but I tend to fall asleep after 3PM when I regularly don't get enough sleep, so I don't know if I can pull off being awake for 24 hours. I might try to think a soda or some coffee but I doubt I can pull it off.

 

[Dark Knifer]

keep yourself awake the rest of the day and go to bed early..and POOF your back on your regular schedule the next day

This sounds like a good idea, even though my sleep schedule is all over the place.

 

[RivFader86]

Its caffine that keeps you up.

Carefull with it though i don't like coffee and so i drink it with lot's of sugar if i ever do, wich led to a seizure once due to the lack of sleep and to muhc cafeine and sugar. Best thing for me is to do something that requires concentration

 

[RoB._.O]

Go for a walk, its sometimes peaceful to walk around at night.

 

[TriGGeR_HaPPy]

Me, personally?
Best way for me is to just make it through the day, be incredibly tired the next night, and try to last until I'd normally get to sleep. Then I'll fall asleep at that point.
I'll usually fall asleep pretty quicksmart, and presto, I'm back in my normal sleep schedule.

No idea if that works for everyone though...
If you're gonna try this? Coffee in the morning, to get you through the long day ahead. Usually helps.

I'll prolly also have a coffee when I get home too, e.g. if it's still hours before my normal "bedtime", but I'm about to fall asleep on my feet...
I don't have any problems with caffeine, or anything like that, though. If you do, try to make do with just doing things, anything, when you get home. Things that'll keep you active until you sleep...

 

[Admiral Stukov]

Screw the sleep schedule idea.
As long as you don't miss out on anything important it doesn't matter when you sleep, right?
I my self sleep very unregulary, and I keep pulling all-nighters from time to time without any reason what so ever

 

[daz_O_O]

Screw the sleep schedule idea.
As long as you don't miss out on anything important it doesn't matter when you sleep, right?
I my self sleep very unregulary, and I keep pulling all-nighters from time to time without any reason what so ever

Hate to admit it but since coming to Uni this is pretty much how I live. If you sleep at night just make sure you time it so you can get up before you need to be somewhere. And any window you get through the day is the perfect time for a 1/2 hr - 2 hr nap. My health nor my social life haven't suffered at all so don't think of screwing up your sleep cycle as such a bad thing.
It's easily fixable anyway. In that situation try to sleep, if it doesn't happen by the point where you'll be getting less than ample sleep then pull an all-nighter and make up for it the following night. Just know that the day might be a bit tough...

 

[Optimus Hagrid]

Iain M Banks usually puts me to sleep.

Not because it's boring, but trying to interpret the two page long location descriptions usaully tires my brain out.

No, I don't read much.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Camomile tea is good, as is reading a hefty novel (The Reality Disfunction seems to work for me), or a relaxing game like Fallout 3 or Oblivion.

I have a really strange sleep pattern, I'll be fine for a week or two then become a complete insomniac for a few days. I've learned to live with it though.

 

[jasoncyrus]

An all nighter does a body good every so often. Lets you know your limits and gets you used to pushing yourself when you need to. Plus you get to watch the sunrise! Hurray!