Also, rather than start a second thread: I don't think my brain functions like a normal persons. I tend to think of it as everyone else thinks 2-D I think 3-D. In other words, most people have their concious thoughts and then the unconcious thoughts which keep the heart beating etc. I can keep two strings of concious thought going at once. I can actually think about two different subjects at the same time, it's really quite nifty. I'm sure there are plenty of people who can do the same, I just find it weird is all...just thought I'd mention it and see what everyone thinks..

Third note: (this one is just a pointless rant, but I figure what the hell) I got my senior photo done today for the color section of the yearbook... Uterly pointless if you ask me. I'm in running start, thus don't go to the highschool, so why would I give a dingle berry if my photo is in the color section as well as the black and white? It's not like I plan on getting a year book, and not like I plan on going back to the highschool in general..I only know a couple people there worth hanging out with, and don't really give a dingle about hanging out with them anyway...*sigh* oh well, that's about it, just wanted to rant, hehe....now that I think about it this could go in 'clemmies rant' thingy, but oh well, too late now..

I'm a long-standing veteran of the Sleep Wars. I've found it helps to settle into a routine. Since my work schedule is fixed, I have found it necessary to arrange my sleep times around that, obviously--as sleeping on the job is frowned upon for some unknown reason. But my routine helps train me for whatever sleep I can get, and I must stick to the routine.

For me, I aim to going to bed at around the same time each night to allow sufficient time for my middle-of-the-night awakenings--generally after a four-hour sleep, I'm up for two hours, another two-hour or so nap if I can and then the day starts. I tend to read or log onto the net and play some games to wear my mind down. I've removed television, computer, etc. from my room--a clock radio is the only working piece of equipment. That room is my sleeping/dressing only; otherwise I'd begin working there and never get any sleep.

I've mentioned this in other posts, but developing the ability to focus your thoughts will help; a side-effect of that is the ability to quiet your mind. That will help you sleep more than anything else. You might look into learning meditation techniques.
The multiple thought thing (multi-tasking) is part of this, because your mind acts like the Energizer Bunny. The idea is to get it to stop and give it a rest.

Granted, there ARE advantages to being able to effectively multitask. The world loves you; "oh he's such a hard worker." If you don't learn to control it, however, it can cause some serious physical (and probably mental) health risks. For more info, do a google search on Type A personality, if you're like me, the Type A model will fit you to a T.

Most of all, learn to meditate. I'm trying to learn, it's hard, it's like trying to get a 5 year old to sit still after giving him 35 Hershey bars and 3 cups of coffee, my mind just wants to think and move and be dynamic and here I am trying to turn it off. If nothing else, though, the meditation can help make up for the lack of sleep, although I think it'll probably help the situation.

As for meditation strategies, Neo, I've found that starting with some activity that requires focus for long periods of time is a great way to start. I've had good experience with yoga for training both mind and body, not to mention spirit. By working your body while concentrating on the postures and breathing, and then slowly working in some visualizations, you'll find that meditations become a little more achievable.

But, like anything else, it requires a fair amount of dedication and commitment. You'll definitely need a teacher / guide, and it will probably take a couple of months of practice before your body and mind settle into it.

Whatever path you choose to settle your mind, give it time, be patient and be sincere.

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Originally posted by daveyt:
Well, I don't have the insomnia thing. In fact, I'm pretty much at the other end of the spectrum: I can sleep anywhere, anytime if need be. I made it through school by training myself to listen while sleeping. Prof would try to catch me out by asking me questions when they thought I was asleep, then my eyes would pop open, I'd take a moment to re-orient myself to the world of conciousness, and then proceed to give them the correct answer. If they weren't startled enough by my responding, they were doubly baffled by the fact that the answer was correct, and that I, apparently, had been paying attention. They only ever had to do that once and then they would leave me alone.

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I had to train myself to do this too, and I've found that it's very effective.

I can't handle the day unless I have at least six hours of sleep. I need eight a night in order to be healthy; if I get less, I have to make up for it later. On weekends I'm known to sleep until noon, or sometimes spend all day (modulo shower and meals) in bed, in order to get back to where I should be.

Now, this idea of listening when asleep... intriguing. On the surface, it sounds like nonsense (you're asleep, duh), but I know that I used to be able to drop into a level of light sleep (usually during car journeys (as a passenger ;) where I felt I could still hear, and certain loud sounds or speech would trigger me to come out of it, refreshed. Usually, I am incapable of napping - if I try, my brain tries to go to deep sleep, so when I wake out of the nap, I'm even more tired than before, and thus the cycle continues...

I think I need more sleep than I get now to do into that special level - I still nap on the bus but body timing re-awakens me now as I can no longer hear anything. The idea that I could gain control of that sleep level and take in and process what I hear is an interesting one, though I don't know how I'd do it. I know I just slept during lectures last year :) I'd need enough sleep such that I could only use a light sleep, and then train my mind, though how I'd do that is unknown - how does one do that? Try and think back to the period asleep? Focus before the sleep?

Even so, it's not the best solution - which is simple. We need more hours in the day. I propose strapping some rockets to the Earth and firing them to slow it's spin. The only disadvantage would be higher gravity, I guess we'd finally find out how Elaysians feel...