Issues sleeping

I've been going to bed very late at night...or should I say morning?

Sometime since the beginning of summer, I've been going to bed around 1 or 2 am. Then it's gradually worked it's way to 7 am now. I just can't get tired. When I am actually able to fall asleep though, I stay asleep for about 12 hours every time.

School is about to start for me, and this is just going to kill me.

I don't get out much during the summer because I burn very very easily. I got blisters along time ago on my shoulders very badly and I don't want that to happen again. I started to get blisters on my knees when they were burnt just from mowing the lawn.

I need to know of a way I can get tired but doing something around the house. Any suggestions?

Sunburning first: Do you use sunscreen, and if you do, how strong is the one you use? I also have very sun sensitive skin, and I use UV factor 20 (at least). That works for me. I also saw an interesting study done at a TV show recently, they let some people who got easily burned eat about 20 grams of tomato paste every day, and tested their skin before and after with UV rays, their skin got less burned when adding tomatoes to their diet. So, if you like tomatoes, it would give you a good excuse to eat them during the summer. ;)

When it comes to problems becoming sleepy and falling asleep: have you tried melatonin? Lots of people here take it to induce lucid dreams and have more vivid dreams, but it's sold over the counter in the US as a sleeping aid. You will want to take 0,5 - 1mg about 20 minutes before going to bed. Lucid dreamers usually take more, but if you go over the dosage mentioned, it might not make you sleepy. You can also try a cup of chamomile tea before bedtime. Another piece of advice directed towards good sleep hygiene is to give yourself an hour of "preparation" before bedtime, where you avoid watching TV or using your computer, the light from both will hinder you from getting (properly) sleepy. Instead, keep the room you're in fairly dark, so that you naturally produce more melatonin which is what makes you feel sleepy. It's a good time to listen to music, for instance, maybe a lucid MP3? While you work on turning your sleep pattern into school/work mode, avoid sleeping in, and avoid daytime naps. Get the amount of sleep that you get when you're not on vacation. I know it's hard to change your sleeping pattern, I'm going through the same thing now, I have work on Monday. And I fell asleep again at 1pm... Shame on me. Not following my own advice. :oops:

Anyways, good luck!

On the outdoors; have you tried SPF 50+ sunscreen? It kept me burn-free through my summer trips through Europe and South California. Just need to re-apply every 2 hours. (being Australian, I know a lot about sunburn and sun protection, belieeeeve me)

But my advice on getting to sleep... well... have you tried masturbation? No, seriously... it works for me when I can't get to sleep.

You could otherwise try the jetlag-buster route of staying up all night, then all day until about 9pm. You're very likely to fall asleep easy if you've been up that long. You just have to make sure you set an alarm to get you up in the morning in case you sleep through the morning. In a few days of doing that you should have adjusted somewhat.

I have to use that SPF70 stuff, or 60. It's around 50 or higher...I know that.

And I've tried melantonin along time ago, and it really helped out, now when I take it though, it doesn't do anything. I even tried taking it again a few days ago...and it didn't do anythign to me.

I think mine is 3mg of melatonin. Is there anything stronger I could try?

I mean, I'm not going to go around and try a whole bunch of pills...

You are most likely taking too much melatonin. 3mg will work against its intend and make you feel awake rather than sleepy. Try 0,5 mg or 1mg, not more than that, if you want to give it a second try.

Valerian pills or tea might also be an option, but I think they last longer.

Like LobbyDonut said, an all-nighter might also do the trick.

I only take one pill. And on the bottle it says 3mg. I've never taken more than 1.

I'll look around for some .5 or 1mg's though.