Please tell me how to break my awful sleep habits

[QueenoftheDay]

It’s nearly half one. I am up for work at 6.30 tomorrow. I feel exhausted all day long. Then it gets to 10pm. I get a second wind and that’s it.

I enjoy the time after the kids are in bed. I usually catch up with work/housework but tonight I just poured a glass of wine and watched tv.

Why am I doing this? I will sleep in tomorrow. The morning will be a stressful rush. I will be exhausted at work and rinse and repeat

waves same 😫

Functioning regularly on 4-5 hours of sleep too? 🙌🏻

Hi. I'm here for all the helpful tips.

Me too.

Same here too. I function on insufficient sleep & catch up at weekends. Life isn't geared up for night owls really.

I'm also a night owl and get a second wind at about 9.30/10! Luckily for me though my commute is only about 20 mins so I can get away with getting up at 8am!

It's more important to have that solitary the without children, than to sleep . Unfortunately, for me, it means I live on the edge of exhaustion all the time, and when something happens (Like now, I've got a really bad cold, I'm awake coughing , nose running, really painful throat and chesr) it just tips me I've the edge.

I'm currently seeing a counsellor and they have suggested this:

1. Stop faffing in the evening. Get the chores that need doing, done.
2. Wind down routine. Bath, one, for and read, watch tv etc

3. Go to need to sleep. Don't watch tv, read, internet. Go to bed, light out, sleep.

1. If you are not asleep in 15 minutes, get up. Read, whatever, and try again.
2. Get up and go to sleep the sane time every day

I'm finding it stupidly hard to stick to. I'm awake now but on my phone on bed. It won't help.

We're a useful bunch all here for the tips but not able to provide any! I do in all honesty know what I need to do, I just enjoy that second wind a quiet time once the children are in bed too much. I really kick myself the next day when I wake up tired and stressed, running on half empty. My issue is frequent air travel for work often involving very early starts and late nights but I could be more routine when I'm not traveling and also put my phone away when I should be trying to sleep!!

Nottalotta I totally hear you on the wanting solitary rather than sleep. And I'm starting a cold too, and should be in bed. Fortunately I can get up at 9 & still be at work on time - just.

The name says it all. I’ll fall asleep about 4am if I’m lucky.

Same problem here, I've tried everything from sleeping tablets and exercise before bed. Basically anything and everything you could do I've tried but nothing works at all. It's starting to damage my health.

Both kids in bed by 8 tonight, and DH is sick so slink off to bed at 8:30. Fab, I thought, I'll read a bit of Mumsnet and have an early night.... Why am I still up at 2am? Kids will be Mummmmmying me in less than 5 hours. Urgh.

I have found my tribe.

I get in from work between 6.30 and 7. My son goes to bed around 9.30 - 10. The time goes on getting him fed, making sure he does homework/revision, any urgent post etc. Once he's in bed its washing up and luncboxes, bath for me.

Then I think I'll have an hour watching TV, but I fall asleep on the sofa, wake up around midnight, and thats it awake till 3 or 4

We're a useful bunch grin all here for the tips but not able to provide any!

To be fair those with healthy sleep habits will all be asleep right now! Maybe in the morning they can tell us how it's done?

Done thing I did find helpful, was listening to a meditation app either in bed or just before bed. Sends me to sleep. Might be useful to those of you getting the second wind?

I was asleep. Then DH came in from work at 1am and woke me up. He’s now snoring away and I’m wide awake!

I've been sleeping later and later the past few weeks. Now its four or five before I sleep if I'm lucky. A few days ago I was awake till 7.30am!!!! Tbf I then sleep late too. I couldn't get by on four hours per night. It sounds like maybe your mind is overactive too and that's what is keeping you up. Maybe make a point f going to bed at like 8pm n just lie there till you sleep. Am about to attempt that myself...at 3am haha

Ho hum

I’ve given up. Got up and made some toast

Then it gets to 10pm. I get a second wind and that’s it.

Have you tried going to bed at 930?

I try to get out and have a walk in the garden to wake myself up at about 7.30pm otherwise I fall asleep in front of tv and can't sleep later on in bed. Going outside is better than trying to wake myself up in the house.

Can you go to bed early before you get the second wind so you're not tempted to stay up?

It’s hard being an early bird as well. I am so tired about 8pm that I go to bed. Then I get no evening with my husband and everyone wakes me up when I go to bed. So I then sit awake for an hour before I get back to sleep. And then bam 4am and I’m wide awake creeping round the house trying not to wake everyone up.

Yep, I’d love some tips. I get to sleep about midnight and then wake at 3am til 6. I wake at 8.
Shit, I’ve just realised how little sleep I get

Everyone wakes me up when they go to bed.