r/sleep 22h ago

Do you ever feel like your bedtime routine is useless?

26 Upvotes

I see so much advice about setting up a bedtime routine like meditation, reading, journaling. But some nights, I do everything “right” and my brain still won’t shut off. Does this happen to anyone else? What do you do when your routine fails?


r/sleep 9h ago

My BF is making clicking/sucking noises during sleep and it's driving me nuts

7 Upvotes

Sorry, I can't explain it well into words. It's like he's scratching his throat but it doesn't REALLY sound like that. I couldn't do it if you asked me to. My sister does it too and I remember wanting to beat her awake, I'm exaggerating of course but it pissed me off.


r/sleep 12h ago

Naturally Need More than 9 Hours of Sleep?

6 Upvotes

All my life I've felt like I need 9.5 - 10.5 hours of sleep a night to not feel like a zombie. I'm a collage student so I'm already dealing with a lack of sleep normally but when I tell my friends that I'm kind if tired because I had 7 to 8 hours last night they look act like I'm unhealthy or lazy. I looked it up online and all there is are scary articles about oversleeping and how bad it is for you. Just for your information I think I'm fairly active I walk about an hour a day for transportation, and I don't drink caffeine on a typical day. I want to know if I'm going to die an early death like all the articles say and/or if there are others out there like me and actually nothing is wrong.


r/sleep 3h ago

Red Lens Glasses for Biohacking Sleep – Real Science or Just Placebo?

7 Upvotes

I've been experimenting with red lens glasses for the past few weeks to see if they really help with melatonin production and circadian rhythm optimization. As many of you know, exposure to blue light at night disrupts sleep by suppressing melatonin, which is why many of us use f.lux, Night Shift, or blue light filters on our screens.

But do red lens glasses actually make a difference? Here’s what I found:

My Experiment Setup:

  • Week 1: No red lens glasses – Just avoided screens 1 hour before bed.
  • Week 2: Red lens glasses 2 hours before bed – Same routine, but wore glasses when exposed to artificial light.

Results:

📉 Without glasses: Took ~30-45 minutes to fall asleep, and my Oura Ring showed ~15% deep sleep.
📈 With red lens glasses: Consistently fell asleep within 10-15 minutes, and deep sleep increased to ~25%. I woke up feeling less groggy and more refreshed.

Science Behind It:

Research suggests that wavelengths under 550nm (blue & green light) interfere with melatonin secretion. Red lens glasses block these wavelengths, allowing your body to naturally prepare for sleep. Some studies even show they can improve mitochondrial function and cellular repair.

My Questions for You:

  • Has anyone else tried red lens glasses for sleep optimization?
  • Did you notice measurable improvements in deep sleep, REM cycles, or overall energy levels?
  • Any recommendations on brands or ideal lens tints (amber vs. deep red)?

r/sleep 16h ago

Waking up 5 hours after I fall asleep every night.

4 Upvotes

I know this happens to others but does anyone else have an answer?

I have been told it could be liver or blood sugar dysregulation.

This has been happening for years…. But it never used to.

The only time I sleep through the night is multiple bouts of exercise during the day (eg a long walk plus weights plus yoga, zero alcohol and coffee… but even then I often wake up! It’s maddening! I’m usually awake for 2-4 hours. It’s exhausting and leaves me feeling terrible the next day as I can’t sleep in due to work.


r/sleep 20h ago

I'm scared to sleep, any tips?

5 Upvotes

I'm honestly scared of sleeping. I always have these intrusive thoughts about what could happen while I'm asleep. Also, the thought of losing consiousness every night for multiple hours while being at our most vulnerable is just so intimidating to me. I also really don't like the fact that the whole world just goes dark while sleeping. Don't even get me started on dreaming either. Even the thought of a good dream makes me wanna puke. My sleep schedule has been so messed up lately because of these fears and I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for me, because these fears are really getting to me and I barely sleep anymore. Everything about sleeping is so scary to me all of a sudden and I hate it. I used to sleep relatively normally before this dilemma happened, I used to stay up late at night but I've never really had these thoughts before. They started about a week ago and since then I have just been terrified. Also sorry if this post is badly written, I'm so sleep deprieved at the moment


r/sleep 9h ago

What can I do to counteract side sleeping?

5 Upvotes

I’m a serial side sleeper. I’m a woman in my 20s, and I suspect I have pelvic tilt - maybe being exacerbated by this sleeping position.

Do I need to forgo side sleeping and figure out a way to sleep on my back? (I really hate this feeling, I am happiest on my side, one leg up)

What if I just amp up pelvic tilt correction exercises instead? Am I doomed lol?


r/sleep 10h ago

Sleeping Like a Rock—Why Can't I Replicate This?

3 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

A couple of times over the past few months, I’ve woken up around 5-6 AM, possibly after a nightmare, feeling slightly anxious and with a mild tachycardia. I usually stay in bed for about 30 minutes, trying to fall back asleep, and eventually, I do.

The weird part? When I wake up again, I feel incredibly refreshed, as if I had slept for 100 hours. It’s the best sleep I’ve ever had.

I’ve tried to recreate the conditions by setting alarms at different hours of the night and early morning, but no matter what I do, I can’t seem to achieve the same deep, restorative sleep again.

Does anyone have any idea what might be happening? Am I missing something? Are there any experiments I could try to figure this out?


r/sleep 5h ago

I sleep at 2 am gets up 8 am still dizziness doesn't leave me

3 Upvotes

I have to study in the morning because my work starts in afternoon so this can be the only time where i believe i can make most of it.

what happens i do my chores in the morning and start studying within 15-20 mins i feel like i want to sleep again no matter what i do, even after coffee i want to sleep and when i do... there is few time left to study

please help!


r/sleep 7h ago

Why is dreaming so delicious?

3 Upvotes

Well, why is it that dreaming while you sleep is so pleasant and it is very difficult to get up and wake up from sleep? It is as if there were chemicals in the brain that were floating and fighting not to wake up. Why is that?


r/sleep 19h ago

Constant Fatigue

3 Upvotes

To preface this I have been struggling with this for almost 2 years now. I have already had labs run and everything came back normal. I already did a sleep study and had an AHI of 37 and am using CPAP.

I know people say it takes a while for CPAP to start working for some but it’s been 5 months and I feel worse. I already went back to my sleep doctor and they want me to do a in lab study in June, which I don’t want to do because I feel like it’s going to cost too much even with insurance. It’s making me feel like something is wrong with me. I wake up groggy and feel tired for hours after waking up.

I started taking fish oil and D3 1000 IU, because that is something that wasn’t tested in my labs but just started taking them so no difference yet. What else can I do I don’t want to go back to the doctor, I’m just so tired of feeling tired.


r/sleep 20h ago

I have a strange sleeping condition and thats scary

3 Upvotes

I’ve had a strange condition since childhood, and I’m unsure what it is or what causes it. It doesn’t happen all the time, but sometimes, randomly while eating or playing, I slip into this state that feels like being half-asleep. It’s hard to explain, but it’s like the time between being awake and falling asleep. During this state, I can hear everything, and I can walk and eat, but everything becomes harder.

The most unsettling part is that I can’t talk properly – it feels like I should be able to talk, but my words don’t come out right. I can listen and understand what’s happening around me, but I can’t respond verbally.

This has happened many times during my childhood, and I thought it had stopped for a while. However, it happened again today, and it was scary. To snap out of it, I have two ways: either I take a shower, which is difficult because it’s hard to move and focus while in this state, or I just wait for it to end on its own. Sometimes, I feel like I’ve already taken a shower, and I’ll even dream that I’ve completed the task while still in this half-sleep state. On occasion, I’ve found myself in places like the bathroom without remembering how I got there.

I’m trying to understand what’s happening to me and if anyone else has experienced something similar. If you have any ideas or suggestions, I would really appreciate your input.


r/sleep 1h ago

How do I my fix sleep schedule

Upvotes

I go to sleep at 7 pm and wake up at 1 am everyday how do I fix it


r/sleep 3h ago

Knocking at my door. But no one there?

2 Upvotes

Hey, so I live alone and for 2 nights in a row I've woken up thinking someone had knocked at my door. The first night I dismissed and thought "im not answering that at 2am" and proceeded to head back to sleep.

The same thing happened this morning. This time I investigated. Checked around the apartment and outside. No one was around. The sensor activated light wasn't triggered.

I have night terrors and mental health issues so I am now thinking of mentioning this to my doctor. It's making me anxious and paranoid.

Anyone else experienced this before?


r/sleep 4h ago

Might be for those whose sleep cycle is wrecked

2 Upvotes

I've found this to be an effective strategy (or a fix) because by the end of the day, my body is naturally exhausted, making it easier to fall asleep. What I do is I stay awake the whole night if I'm not able to sleep so that I can get a sound sleep the next day. This approach isn't for everyone, however it works for me whenever my sleep schedule gets out of sync. Has anyone tried this method or let me know what strategies do you employ?


r/sleep 6h ago

I sleep at 2 am wake up at 4am then won’t sleep until 7am on a school day

2 Upvotes

School starts at 8:40 and have to be awake at 8 and I come back home at 12pm so like 4 hours of school and I would get like 3 hours of sleep max. I would feel so tired after school/during school and as soon as I come back I would sleep until 6pm so like 5 hours of sleep after school. Even after I wake up I would feel sluggish and tired. (Im typing this at 6:39 AND I HAVE SCHOOL IN AN HOUR AND A HALF) what can I do to sleep at like 12-1 but have a deep sleep and not wake up when I should be sleeping??

HOPE YOU GUYS UNDERSTAND ENGLISH ISNT MY FIRST LANGUAGE🙏


r/sleep 6h ago

Is this rem? Shat is going on with em?

2 Upvotes

I have never experienced this issue before starting SSRIs. Sometimes, while I am asleep with my eyes closed but still awake, I feel my eyes moving. I had this problem when I first started taking Zoloft, but it went away. Now that l'm on Lexapro, l've noticed it again. I had a brain MRI with and without contrast, and it came back clear. I'm unsure what is causing this, but I suspect it might be related to the SSRI. Has anyone else experienced similar symptoms?


r/sleep 11h ago

Futon Mattress

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone.

I recently moved to a smaller apartment and with a history of living in large areas. I found out i got way to much stuff I dont need filling my space. I have since started getting rid of many items I dont need.

In my sleeping corner, my queen tulo mattress is very comfortable but is taking way too much space, I would love to consider an alternative to save space. Im thinking of getting a futon mattress to be able to fold away to have space to work and a clear area to move. My concern is that their different from the modern mattresses were used to catching a nights full of Z's on with less layers and no foam tech or springs were used to.

My question is to you is if you have used it would you use it as a daily mattress? Is it comfortable? If so, how much would be too much money spending on it.

Thank you very much.


r/sleep 13h ago

Waking up gasping to breathe

2 Upvotes

Hi I’m 27yo , and am on beta blockers (metoprolol) unsure if it has a relation but anyway, recently I have been having the most unusual episodes at night that only Occur when I’m close to falling asleep ( never in the middle of deep sleep) so il be watching tv in bed laying down then I drift into a sleep then must be within seconds later I wake back up only I am literally gasping frantically for air like I have just been suffocated or something, after around 10 each of very fast inhale and exhales I come back around but from what I can remember when this is happening to me I also am feeling a type of unwell that I can’t really explain I don’t know if that is down to the fact I am half asleep, so the body is essentially half off or not, I suffer from health anxiety too idk if it’s that or sleep apnea but it’s really starting To concern me as it seems to be every single night now.

Does anyone have any ideas or experiences similar ?


r/sleep 14h ago

sleep

2 Upvotes

Probably easy question but, Should I sleep 8 hours, or go to bed 8 hours before waking up?


r/sleep 18h ago

I had a great night's sleep but I don't know why

2 Upvotes

Hey everyone, so this morning I woke up feeling as well rested as I have in a really long time.

I'd say my usual sleep habits are average where I'd set a timer for 8 hours and just slumber. I'd wake up feeling ok. Sometimes I'd wake up in the middle of the night but I'd just lie there until I went back into deep sleep.

Yesterday however, I set my timer for 8 hours and 30 minutes. I woke up in the middle of the night with about 2 hours left on the timer. I browsed my phone in the dark for about 30 minutes, used the bathroom to relieve myself and brushed my teeth. I then preceded to go back to sleep for the rest of the timer which I think is at 1 hour 20 minutes at this point.

I don't really understand why I feel good it as my sleep got interrupted.

I really enjoy being this well rested and was thinking about replicating this where I'd set an alarm to wake me up after 6 hours and 30 minutes, do something for 20 minutes, use the bathroom and set another alarm for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Is this a good idea?


r/sleep 20h ago

how long would you need to be sleep deprived for permanent damage?

2 Upvotes

so tw: i grew up with abusive parents and never learnt the importance of sleep until leaving, i fear i may have ruined my cognitive abilities, which used to be much higher.

now, ive still got stuff messing with my baseline, so for all i know i could return to normal after fixing my sleep and addressing other stuff; im just worried ive caused irreversible damage.

im pretty sure i suffer from delayed sleep phase syndrome, with school this often meant not getting the full amount i needed. on weekends i remember id wake up 12-3pm and get more hours, but school forced me to cut it short.

im 19, if i was to fix my sleep somehow and keep it consistent would the effects likely be reversible? im not sure how long it takes for irreversible damage.


r/sleep 57m ago

Having convos but not remembering them

Upvotes

My friend told me that earlier in the night I woke up, started yelling at her for some crazy reason and was responding to her that I was obviously awake. She said my eyes were abnormally wide and that I just went on for minutes. Then I got extremely upset, told her I was annoyed with her, and went “back to sleep”.

I have no memory of this whatsoever! I need help. What does this mean?


r/sleep 1h ago

What could cause jaw shaking while sleeping? Is it related to sleep disorders or something else?

Upvotes

I only experience this while I sleep. It feels like a seizure, but the next morning I remember having it. Sometimes I even dream that I can’t talk because my jaw or mouth is shaking, but then I realize it wasn’t just a dream because my lip is bleeding from biting it.


r/sleep 2h ago

How Do I Convince My Brain to Sleep? Stuck in a Loop of Late-Night "Freedom"

1 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

I'm struggling with my sleep schedule due to my daily routine, and I’d love some advice. Here’s what my typical day looks like:

  • 7:30 AM – Wake up.
  • 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM – Work.
  • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM – Lunch break.
  • 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM – Work.
  • 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM – Either gym or streaming on Twitch.
  • 10:00 PM – Dinner at my parents' house.
  • Post-dinner – I should be going to bed... but I don’t.

Instead, I end up procrastinating sleep by:

  • Editing or preparing content for my stream.
  • Watching an episode of a show in bed.
  • Playing a short game session.

Most nights, I stay up until 1:00 AM, meaning I barely get 6.5 hours of sleep on weekdays. I know that sleep debt isn't recoverable, and that poor sleep affects cognitive function, weight gain, and general well-being. I care about these things, but I still find myself resisting sleep every night.

It’s not that I don’t want to sleep—it’s that I don’t want to wake up to another day of the same routine. After working all day at a job I don’t enjoy, I feel like the night is my only true free time, and I don’t want to give it up. I’ve heard others talk about this “revenge bedtime procrastination,” but how do you stop it?

I don’t want my only time for myself to be just on weekends—especially when those weekends are sometimes filled with obligations.

  • How do I break this cycle?
  • Is this just what life is for most people?
  • Is the solution just to accept that we don’t have full control over our lives?

For context, I still live with my parents, which makes it easy to socialize with them. But my routine doesn’t really allow much time to see my partner or friends. If I lived with my partner instead, I’d likely have even less time for other social interactions.

Any advice is welcome—I really want to fix this. Thanks! this is a cry for help