How to Fight Too Much Sleep

Everyone is slightly different when it comes to their sleep needs but sleep specialists have been telling us for decades that we should get a good eight hours of sleep every night to function properly. If you find yourself oversleeping or too groggy to wake, try a few tips to help you rise and shine all day long.

Instructions

1. Allow a regular sleep pattern to develop. By going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, you train your inner alarm clock to wake naturally. If you must vary your schedule, make it at bedtime but keep your alarm set the same every morning of the week. If you sleep in on weekends, you'll undermine your body clock.

2. Eat right, especially if you're a teen. Nutritious and well-balanced meals will provide the wide range of vitamins and minerals your body needs for replenishment. In addition, drink plenty of water during the day; dehydration can cause fatigue and trouble rising in the morning.

3. Take a walk during the day. If your job and lifestyle are not conducive to physical activity, try adding a 45-minute walk before your evening meal. However, avoid exercise before bedtime as it increases your metabolism, not allowing you to fall asleep easily.

4. See your doctor if stress, depression or anxiety is keeping you from falling asleep at bedtime. In addition to preventing you from getting enough sleep, these conditions can reduce the quality sleep you get each night. Your doctor can prescribe anti-depression medication or refer you to a specialist for counseling.

5. Reduce your caffeine intake after your evening meal. Caffeine late in the day can reduce your quality of sleep, leading to grogginess in the morning.

6. Get an alarm clock without a snooze button. Pressing the snooze repeatedly for an extra five minutes of sleep trains your body to stay tired in morning. Alternately, put the alarm clock on the other side of the bedroom so you have to get up to turn it off.