I cannot wake up to alarm. Help.

Title says it all. I struggle with waking up to an alarm. I either sleep through it or wake up and turn it off while groggy and not thinking. I keep my phone on my desk when I go to bed thinking that having to get out of bed will help - it doesn’t. I also have a whoop that has a haptic alarm and have it set for the same time. My body naturally wakes me up at the latest possible time to still get to work on time, causing me to wake up rushed and frustrated that I did it again.

Any help is much appreciated.

28 Comments
 

Man I’ve had 2 roommates like this and I was incredible how no matter how loud the alarm is, they can’t wake up. I wake up to the slightest noise so cant relate.

Hopefully you can figure this out as I’ve seen firsthand how detrimental it can be to not be able to wake up. Buddies were always rushing to get out the door and stressed out in the mornings.

 

I have a Garmin Fenix watch that vibrates on your wrist when the alarm goes off - works really well, highly recommended.

There are also light alarm clocks with increasing light.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Have you considered speaking to a sleep doctor/specialist? What you're describing may have other, medical-related, causes that you should address. 

 
GoingToBeAnMD

Have you considered speaking to a sleep doctor/specialist? What you're describing may have other, medical-related, causes that you should address. 

Diagnosis is easy, probably not a morning person. Different circadian rhythm. In fact you should wake up later and start work later.

 
Most Helpful

I'm just gonna rapid fire tips, hope one helps.

Chug water before bed. You'll get out of bed to go to the bathroom in the morning.

Go to sleep earlier. If you have trouble falling asleep, stay off phone in bed/around bedtime. Don't eat within a few hours of going to bed, exercise throughout the day more, practice meditation.

Use one of those math problem alarm apps.

Don't get back into bed, ever. Once you do, it's game over.

Splash yourself with cold water. It works.

Keep some sort of caffeine next to your bed. The second you wake up, consume some. This is a terrible long-term method, but in a pinch will help.

The main thing is that if you put your alarm away from bed, you get up to turn it off, and still fall back asleep, there's a good chance no method will work. The reason is because you have a discipline problem. Sure, you're tired, you may not even remember turning off your alarm. I used to be the same way. The more disciplined you get, the more likely even your subconscious mind will act how you want it to. Good luck.

 

It is likely pertaining to discipline (which is odd because I feel as though I have good discipline elsewhere). I feel like part of the reason is that I workout so intensely that I just crash (can't be avoided - play a sport in college). I have walked to my desk, turned off my alarm and fallen back asleep in my desk chair before; I'd then wake up with no memory of it wondering how tf i got there. Good advice and much appreciated.

 

You have good discipline in other areas because you've created habits. Hell of a lot easier to go to the gym your 500th time over your 3rd. Getting up in the morning is a greater perceived challenge to you, and therefore will take more discipline.

Passing out after working out hard or playing a sport is normal, but make sure you're getting enough sleep each night. Things like sleeping in a dark, cold room, and even going to bed and waking up at the same time can have a big impact on overall sleep. And of course try and get between 8-10 hours each night.

Try out short naps too. Lots of different methods. Maybe a 15 minute nap, the 25-30 minute that NASA says is optimal, or my personal favorite, hold a pen in your hand and have a metal pan underneath it, when you fall asleep you will drop the pen and the clank will wake you back up. Einstein and Churchill did it. Doesn't need to be a pen or metal, just something that will wake you.

I'd also recommend Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker. Very helpful.

 

Plug a george foreman grill into a wall outlet timer, then a firecracker or two inside the grill. Can guarantee it'll work every time.

"one for the money two for the better green 3 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine" - M.F. Doom
 
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Plug a george foreman grill into a wall outlet timer, then a firecracker or two inside the grill. Can guarantee it'll work every time.

The George Foreman grill only provides heat and no spark. Guaranteed not to go off.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

What I used was an alarm for deaf people (can find them on Amazon). They can beep and vibrate super hard at the same time so when it wakes you up you're less groggy since your pillow and head (I kept it beside my head) are constantly getting buzzed. 

 

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