Why exactly IS it so difficult to get up in the morning?

[johnjohn320]

We all know that when the alarm goes off at 6:30 AM, it's a terrible feeling. The sound of an alarm clock at any time of the day will make most of us cringe, just from the sheer connotations we have with that sound. My question is: Why the heck is it so damned difficult to wake up in the morning? Why does our body take its sweet time "turning back on" or whatever? I know this is especially true for teenagers, less so for little kids, and less so with the elderly. Why does our body make us feel like sh!t when we wake up unnaturally, and seem to take forever to return to (even a tired state of) normal?

 

[KLin]

it's like coming off of a coke buzz. It's pretty hard not to snort some more.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Why does our body take its sweet time "turning back on" or whatever?

I think it's different for everybody IMO johnjohn320, good thing you didn't make a poll.

 

[thirdlegstump]

I dunno but my friend gets up every morning at 5am exact without an alarm. I dunno how he does it but then again, he's a CEO of some publishing company.

 

[Shawn]

it's because it's TOO DAMN EARLY!

 

[johnjohn320]

Originally posted by: deathkoba
I dunno but my friend gets up every morning at 5am exact without an alarm. I dunno how he does it but then again, he's a CEO of some publishing company.

True, my dad is the same way. Some people don't seem to have much trouble...but most people I know dread waking up early for these reasons.

 

[bradruth]

I don't like waking up unnaturally.

 

[iamme]

my ability to wake up has gotten pretty predictable as i've gotten older (i'm 26 now). if i get 7-8 hours of sleep, i can pretty much wake up easily. if i get 5-6 hours, i know i will struggle to wake up, but i'll be ok throughout the day. any less than that and i'll be tired most of the day. so, for me, it's not how time i wake up, but rather how many hours of sleep i get.

 

[neonerd]

same reason you're computer takes some time to boot up...

your brain (hard drive), is copying vital information into your nerves (RAM). Once everything is in place, it can start loading the OS....

however, since most people have a reduces FSB, and higher multiplier (because they're morons), their system may be more stable, but it's slow as hell

some, even have a 5:4 Ratio set up WITH the redused FSB :shocked:

on the other hand, have uber systems, and uber clock speed/fsb/multiplier, AND a 1:1 ratio....we also take some time however, since we have so many things starting up. We're also running an enhanced version of windows, one that all the other people can't even imagine!

hope that helps

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Originally posted by: neonerd
same reason you're computer takes some time to boot up...

your brain (hard drive), is copying vital information into your nerves (RAM). Once everything is in place, it can start loading the OS....

however, since most people have a reduces FSB, and higher multiplier (because they're morons), their system may be more stable, but it's slow as hell

some, even have a 5:4 Ratio set up WITH the redused FSB :shocked:

on the other hand, have uber systems, and uber clock speed/fsb/multiplier, AND a 1:1 ratio....we also take some time however, since we have so many things starting up. We're also running an enhanced version of windows, one that all the other people can't even imagine!

hope that helps

Way to nerdify sleeping...

 

[mobobuff]

It's your brains way of saying, "I don't give a shit about what you have to do, or what appointments you have... I think you need more sleep, because I know what's good for you." The body is a machine, without downtime, it starts to break down. The brains basic programmed functions (I'll call it the BIOS, to make neonerd happy) includes the demand that the body gets rest, when it thinks that it needs it, it makes you feel tired. It makes the thought of a nice warm bed and fluffy pillow sound VERY GOOD. Also, the brain does need a certain amount of time to regain its motor and cognitive functions. If you're woken in the middle of a deep sleep cycle, you'll probably be pretty flustered and confused, the brain doesn't function quite right. I'm assuming this is due to the brain automatically shutting off a lot of neurological functions when you're in that deep sleep cycle. There have been times that my alarm has woken me up way too early, and in my confusion I mistook my alarm for a computer, and got extremely irritated when I couldn't find the mouse to shut it off. At the time I had one of those alarms with the big blue backlit LCD

On a related note, for the last 6 days I've had very long and rememberable (but senseless) dreams. I'm wondering how long I can keep it up.

 

[myusername]

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[zerocool1]

I think once you develop a routine, you can wake up at the same time without an alarm. That way you get a consistant amount of sleep.

 

[BlueWeasel]

I've read that we typically go thru about 90 minute sleep cycles (fall asleep, REM, wake up), and you never want to wake up during REM sleep. So, the theory is to set your alarm at the end of a cycle (3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, 9 hours etc.) and it will be easier to wake up and get started.

Doesn't seem to work for me.

 

[screw3d]

Originally posted by: mobobuff
It's your brains way of saying, "I don't give a sh1t about what you have to do, or what appointments you have... I think you need more sleep, because I know what's good for you." The body is a machine, without downtime, it starts to break down. The brains basic programmed functions (I'll call it the BIOS, to make neonerd happy) includes the demand that the body gets rest, when it thinks that it needs it, it makes you feel tired. It makes the thought of a nice warm bed and fluffy pillow sound VERY GOOD. Also, the brain does need a certain amount of time to regain its motor and cognitive functions. If you're woken in the middle of a deep sleep cycle, you'll probably be pretty flustered and confused, the brain doesn't function quite right. I'm assuming this is due to the brain automatically shutting off a lot of neurological functions when you're in that deep sleep cycle. There have been times that my alarm has woken me up way too early, and in my confusion I mistook my alarm for a computer, and got extremely irritated when I couldn't find the mouse to shut it off. At the time I had one of those alarms with the big blue backlit LCD

On a related note, for the last 6 days I've had very long and rememberable (but senseless) dreams. I'm wondering how long I can keep it up.

I have had those moments before! I hear a ringing noise, and I wake up to switch off that damn thing (my cellphone as alarm) off.. and for some reason I will go to the computer and try to mute/turn down volume/click on the stop button and of course it doesn't work..

Then I'll feel stupid for the rest of the day

 

[myusername]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
I've read that we typically go thru about 90 minute sleep cycles (fall asleep, REM, wake up), and you never want to wake up during REM sleep. So, the theory is to set your alarm at the end of a cycle (3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, 9 hours etc.) and it will be easier to wake up and get started.

Doesn't seem to work for me.

Maybe because you don't fall asleep right away? I have much more trouble with odd hours than even - up until about 13

 

[UncleWai]

I can never wake up on time.
I set my alarm clock 9:00am, I always ended up waking up at 9:30am.
Late to my first class every single time, thus I am getting around a 2.2 in that class.

 

[mobobuff]

Originally posted by: screw3d

Originally posted by: mobobuff
It's your brains way of saying, "I don't give a sh1t about what you have to do, or what appointments you have... I think you need more sleep, because I know what's good for you." The body is a machine, without downtime, it starts to break down. The brains basic programmed functions (I'll call it the BIOS, to make neonerd happy) includes the demand that the body gets rest, when it thinks that it needs it, it makes you feel tired. It makes the thought of a nice warm bed and fluffy pillow sound VERY GOOD. Also, the brain does need a certain amount of time to regain its motor and cognitive functions. If you're woken in the middle of a deep sleep cycle, you'll probably be pretty flustered and confused, the brain doesn't function quite right. I'm assuming this is due to the brain automatically shutting off a lot of neurological functions when you're in that deep sleep cycle. There have been times that my alarm has woken me up way too early, and in my confusion I mistook my alarm for a computer, and got extremely irritated when I couldn't find the mouse to shut it off. At the time I had one of those alarms with the big blue backlit LCD

On a related note, for the last 6 days I've had very long and rememberable (but senseless) dreams. I'm wondering how long I can keep it up.

I have had those moments before! I hear a ringing noise, and I wake up to switch off that damn thing (my cellphone as alarm) off.. and for some reason I will go to the computer and try to mute/turn down volume/click on the stop button and of course it doesn't work..

Then I'll feel stupid for the rest of the day

Yep! I've been there. Then after it doesn't work you feel like you're in one of those scary movies where they unplug the TV but OMGWTF IT'S STILL ON!!!!!!!!

 

[Chaotic42]

Try melatonin.

I have bad sleepwalking/terror problems (they come and go), and melatonin suppliments have really helped me out.

 

[RossMAN]

Because it's not natural to wake up at 5:45 AM to a screaching alarm.

It's been a long time since I've had just the right amount of sleep. It's always either too little or too much.

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: johnjohn320
I know this is especially true for teenagers, less so for little kids, and less so with the elderly.

On this point in particular; cell growth requires sleep; kids have more of it going on. Bodybuilders need a lot of sleep as well, same reason. It's especially bad for teenagers because they don't get tired till later at night than kids a bit younger (this has a chemical basis) - yet high school starts earlier than grade/middle school, based on the archaic premise that kids are just small versions of adults and that it will prepare them for life after high school (which for most kids now means waking up among half-eaten pizzas and empty beer cans for 2pm classes). Many a study has been done linking high schools starting later with more successful and happy students, but things are always slow to change.

 

[EvilYoda]

I've had a lot of problems with it recently as well...one of my friends will wake up no matter what at like 7:30, and possibly EARLIER after a hard night of drinking...given the chance, I'll wake up around noon and then go back to sleep, only to guilt myself out of bed around 2PM.

Gonna see a doctor about it soon...among other things.

 

[gutharius]

Topic Title: Why exactly IS it so difficult to get up in the morning?
Topic Summary: Perplexities of the human body

Perhaps Viagra would help?

 

[onelin]

The human body needs sleep. It needs more at different parts in life or depending on lifestyle. It's easy to wake up when you have enough, generally. People with good sleep habits get that "body clock" that wakes them up nicely at 5am, 6am, whatever the usual time with no alarm. My dad's one of those people, but I'm certainly not.

I know when my body really needs sleep, because I will shut off (multiple) alarms without gaining consciousness and not even remember it. It happens to me about once a semester where it will not wake up under any circumstances until I've had what I need...so I try to get what I need on a daily basis so that doesn't happen. Many days I haven't had enough sleep I hit snooze for about an hour, sometimes more. It's no mystery though, my body needs sleep!

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
one of my friends will wake up no matter what at like 7:30, and possibly EARLIER after a hard night of drinking

This happens to me now, it really sucks because my body needs the sleep, and I'd rather sleep through a hangover than be awake for it. Only started a year or two ago, I'm in my upper 20s now.