Ask HN: How you wake up? Do you guys jump of the bed when the alarm goes or push the snooze button a couple of times or read something or surf or plan or meditate on the bed. I'm struggling to wake up in the morning that's why I asked to the hackers of the galaxy. |
So now, I work on my side projects and do whatever I got to do between the hours after 12 AM and before 5 - 6 AM. Once this time begins to approach, usually when I start to see hints of the sun, I prepare to sleep. I end up sleeping anywhere from 10 AM - 1 PM. And I don't mind at all.
I have embraced the fact that I can't sleep after work. Sometimes, if I have to work an earlier shift, I will just train myself to go to sleep earlier, and I might eat some almond butter or take some melatonin gummies to help aid me in sleep.
If I do set an alarm, I usually set two: one to remind me that I'm alive. The second to remind me that I have to get up. The first is normally set an hour beforehand, while the latter is an alarm set around a half hour before I have to actually wake up to let me know: Seriously, get up.
I sometimes still beat myself up for being so lackadaisical -- like I've been having to get an oil change for at least a week now, and I just can't seem to get up in time. But eventually I get myself in gear, bite the bullet, wake up a little earlier, and do what I have to do during those hours I would usually be sleeping.
Would you benefit from an extra half an hour of uninterrupted sleep instead of setting two alarms? I find myself worse off in the morning if when I set two alarms an hour apart rather than setting a single alarm.
I say sometimes that I need pressure because thats when I thrive.. I'm not sure how to artificially create that pressure
A few months ago I had to work 9-17 for four weeks. With some difficulty, I managed to be on time every single day. I was sleep deprived at the end of it, and reverted to my usual 5 - 8 AM bedtime on the next day.
I don't enjoy it but I have never managed to keep a sleep pattern resembling normal for more than a few days.
I do not jump out of bed as I ended up getting an injury one time from the quick movement of my knee.
When I do get up, I drink a glass of water and get dressed right away and go for a 2 mile fast walk.
This gets my blood flowing and allows me to work out things on my mind.
I never snooze my alarm clock. I put the phone away from me so I have to get up to it. If it's arm-reachable, the snooze it is :)
Morning are really slow for me intentionally, I usually make myself a cup of coffee and sit down for about 30-40 minutes. Watching TV or something like that.
Depending on my level of injury, I might stretch a bit and do some morning Yoga https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-Ina_WW4Yc This one works best for me.
I ride my bike 4-5 days a week and the rest of my morning depends whether I bike in the morning or in the afternoon.
Struggling to wake up (for me) means I am missing some nutrition, I try to keep a very natural and healthy diet. I found that if I keep up with it, I wake up much easier.
For context. I have 3 kids (20m - 7y old). I usually wake up about an hour before the first one wakes up.
FD: I'm just about to start working for ST, but I've had this setup for years already.
On T/Th/S/S, I wake up naturally around 6:30am but have my alarm set to 8am which is usually when I'll actually wake up. If I do wake up early, I'll do some light exercise like walking/running/swimming. I don't have to get to work till 10am so the morning is all mine to do as I see most productive.
I am one of those people that really needs 8-9 hours of sleep per day. If I get 4-6, my day really suffers from it.
If I wake up early, I like to "take the morning" [1] and reclaim it for whatever personal desires, but usually reading on the Kindle, meditating, and taking the time to brew a nice coffee by hand.
I only use an alarm clock if I have a meeting before 10 am.
At night I try not to look at any blue light more than 1-2 hours past sunset.
[1]: https://backchannel.com/how-i-got-my-attention-back-c7fc9297...
It is very surprising though, how a body can adapt to situation like this and after some adjustment period you feel rested even after 4-5 hours of sleep. The key for me is:
1. do a physical activity at least 4-5x times per week - swimming or running. 2. use Sleep Cycle app for iPhone 3. take my favourite DMAE pills 4. eat healthy
If you are not in the habit of making your bed, making your bed is a quick win that can get your day off to a good start (as you have accomplished something, albeit small but it will be a habit).
There are many yoga stretches that can be done lazily while in bed. Like child pose.
On workdays I have no time for myself until I hit the road. I rush through a shower without fully waking up. I'm awake, but I'm usually focusing on getting clean first. Sometimes I have time for a small breakfast, maybe coffee, but I don't center myself until I get picked up by car pool.
However, in my life before cats I really struggled to wake up for a 9-to-5 until I got an alarm with a lamp that lights up very gradually, simulating sunrise. I was surprised at how well it worked and definitely recommend them.
I had a Bio-Brite model, which I don't think are made nowadays but google for "alarm clock lamp sunrise" and there are lots of alternatives.
I try to keep other morning activities (web browsing, reading, etc) separate from time in bed. I go straight to the kitchen to boil water for coffee.
Getting enough sleep every day and never having to force myself out of bed makes a huge difference to my work performance and general mood, to the point where I don't think I could do a job without flexible hours.
These days i'm self-employed, so pretty much gave up on alarm clocks and go to sleep and wake up whenever it happens. Tend to drift forward about 30 minutes every day...
And then I balance a pint of water on my phone/alarm, which forces me to drink that when I wake up.