Sage

I've been there! You are not alone!

You can totally do this, it just takes willpower on your part.

Firstly, decide you're going to get a better sleep cycle. You have to WANT this, or it's not going to work.

First day, set your alarm one hour early. Stand up out of bed and take five deep breaths (more oxygen makes your brain more awake. Go take a shower (it will really help wake you up), don't forget that the toilet brush is NOT a loofa. Get dressed and go eat breakfast. Or something. Go take a walk. Whatever. Do something ACTIVE- NO internet, NO TV!

Now.. I don't remember if you're still in school or not, but whatever. Keep yourself busy during the day. Don't let yourself get bored and start to zone out. Eat breakfast (this is important for starting your metabolism in the morning and keeping your sugar levels constant) even if it's just something like half a bagel with cream cheese (no doughnuts!). Don't eat a super heavy lunch- it will cause your sugar levels to get wonky and plus your body will be using all it's available energy for digestion (thus the 3pm tiredness). Eat a good dinner, and go for a walk afterwards (this helps with proper digestion).

Now, here comes the hard part. Try, for one day, to go without internet. This day, this first day of sleeping better, no internet. Turn the computer OFF. Take the power cord and leave it in your car if you have to, but cut the damned thing OFF. Go read a book, bang your girlfriend, whatever. Go to bed when you feel tired. I've found that staying up late looking at the computer actually creates an artificial kind of awakeness- I'm actually tired but for whatever reason when I'm at the computer I don't feel like it. So, no computer for you.

The next day, get up one hour early again. Rinse, repeat. By getting up one hour early AND STICKING WITH IT you're starting to break the cycle of being drowsy in the morning by really resisting being awake. Don't resist waking up- just roll with it. It gets easier.

About the computer thing- just remember that it does have an OFF button. You won't miss anything earth shaking by not going online. Go take up a new hobby... stamp collecting, model rockets, whatever. Find something else to occupy your time.

For me, what helped with my off sleep cycles was dedication to the cause. Getting up early, committing to being awake early, increased daily activity, drinking more water, not eating huge meals right before going to bed, that sort of thing. Eventually I found that I'd be tired around midnight instead of around 3-4am like before.

One more thing- yeah, most people need 8 hours of sleep, but make sure that the level of sleep you're getting is good for you. For me, I need about 7-7.5, and once I get anything over about 8.5 hours I feel wonky from oversleeping. Remember, the more regular your sleep patterns are, the more regular they become, and the better you feel. It's INSANE how much better you feel when your sleep cycles are regular and right for you and your body.

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