I can't sleep more than 4 hours per night.

[Scaphe]

I'm not sure what's wrong. I've read somewhere that the average human being is supposed to get 8 hours of sleep per night (on average). But regardless of what time I go to sleep, I end up waking up after approximately four hours.

Go to sleep at 11pm? Wake up at 3am.
Go to sleep at 8pm? Wake up at 12am.
Go to sleep at 2am? Wake up at 6am.

No matter what. With or without an alarm clock, I wake up after approximately four hours of sleep for some reason.

But I am getting a little tired, truthfully. There are times that I feel half-aware of my surroundings. And I don't feel like my mind or body is performing even remotely close to its limits.

On a side note: if I take any kind of sleep aid (and believe me, I can't bring myself to take more than one in any sitting) I sleep for an extended period of time (like 12 hours)... and somehow still feel drowsy.

I don't get particularly tired during the nighttime; it's only during the day that I feel slightly groggy.

A friend suggested that it might be some kind of mental issue that I'm experiencing, but I don't feel depressed in any way... although I'm far from experiencing any kind of elation either. I feel "grey", but I can still laugh and find enjoyment in things. It's just to a very watered down degree.

[ferna3069]

you need to go to a docotr get checked. they can give you some medication or tell you whats wrong.

[mad rabbits]

I've read that a more natural way of sleeping than our Western concept of 8 hours sleep, and this is practised in some other cultures, is to sleep for four hours, wake up and do something relaxing for a while, and then go back to sleep for four hours.

Can you go back to sleep after you have woken up if you try?

Also are you drinking alcohol before bedtime? If so you will wake up four-five hours after you fall asleep, when the alcohol wears off

[Oneironaut]

I spent quite a bit of time at one point studying anything to do with sleeping: Patterns, brain waves, dreaming...and I can tell you first off that you have CONVINCED yourself that you cannot sleep more than 4 hours. That alone is far more powerful of a mindset than you may think.

Even though everyone has different sleep needs, four hours is generally considered not enough time. Pharmacological sleep aids induce sleep, but not necessarily the kind you need to feel rested. That's why so many people wake up feeling groggy after taking them, and will still feel tired during the day.

There are a variety of factors that may affect you before going to bed: Smoking, drinking caffeine or alcohol, stress, and physical activity levels are some of the big ones.

As a lifelong insomniac, I highly recommend this article

[Only registered users can see links. ]

There are a number of suggestions listed that you may want to consider trying.

Good luck.

[Ariel85]

Do you exercise? I know if I don't do something physical daily, I don't burn off my energy and won't sleep well.

Do you drink/eat a lot of caffeine or stimulants? That can contribute to insomnia.

Are you stressed? That will keep your mind/body awake, even if you're feeling tired.

OTC sleep aids will always make you drowsy. Have you tried ambien or something prescription? They don't give you the same effects.

[Victoria66]

Have a bed time routine that is very calming. Go to bed at the same time every day, wake up at the same time, stop changing it up because you get your body confused. Take a nice bath or shower and read or listen to calming music for about a half hour. Clear your mind of all it's troubles. Try some melatonin. As someone said many people convince themselves they can not sleep, when really they are doing a lot that is not sleep productive.

[Scaphe]

Do you exercise? I know if I don't do something physical daily, I don't burn off my energy and won't sleep well.

Do you drink/eat a lot of caffeine or stimulants? That can contribute to insomnia.

Are you stressed? That will keep your mind/body awake, even if you're feeling tired.

OTC sleep aids will always make you drowsy. Have you tried ambien or something prescription? They don't give you the same effects.

I exercise a bit, during the daytime. I usually work night shifts, so I don't get home till 10 o'clock most of the time. To be sufficiently tired, I have to go out of my way to exhaust myself (like pulling a double at work) or exercise extra hard.

I drink coffee occasionally, but only in the morning.

Eh, I suppose in a manner of speaking I am a tad stressed. According to my doctor, I have high blood pressure (although I have a slim to muscular body type).

I'm a little anxious about sleep aids, so I generally like to steer away from them, unless I'm way overdue for sleep.

[Scaphe]

I've read that a more natural way of sleeping than our Western concept of 8 hours sleep, and this is practised in some other cultures, is to sleep for four hours, wake up and do something relaxing for a while, and then go back to sleep for four hours.

Can you go back to sleep after you have woken up if you try?

Also are you drinking alcohol before bedtime? If so you will wake up four-five hours after you fall asleep, when the alcohol wears off

Not usually. If I wake up early, I end up lying in bed until my alarm clock goes off at 6 am.

Naah, I don't drink any day that I have to go to work. (which is almost every day hahahah)

[Scaphe]

Have a bed time routine that is very calming. Go to bed at the same time every day, wake up at the same time, stop changing it up because you get your body confused. Take a nice bath or shower and read or listen to calming music for about a half hour. Clear your mind of all it's troubles. Try some melatonin. As someone said many people convince themselves they can not sleep, when really they are doing a lot that is not sleep productive.

I probably do need to change my habits. When I get home from work, I usually end up eating dinner, and then read for a while afterwards, before taking a shower or bath.

[ycmanvs]

I have been doing some research on this and it appears that there are a few people with a genetic mutation that makes them only sleep 4 hours per night.

This article, from 2009 explains it:

[Only registered users can see links. ]


I feel fine with only 4 hours a night and I have been like this ever since I was a small child. My family was worried that I had a "sleep phobia" so they took me to all kinds of doctors, but no one could find anything wrong with me. I enjoy having the extra free time, so I can get a lot more done in a day.