Just a thought.

[Quietguy11]

This obviously doesn't apply to everyone on this site, but I think that sleeping over 8-9 hours is actually bad for you, I don't think the body was intended to sleep for that long, you really only need that amount of time for your motor functionality to work again. But I have been sleeping for over 12 hours a night/day. Going to bed really late or should I say really early in the morning and then sleeping throughout the day, past noon. My brain feels sleepy all the time, and I don't have high energy levels as a result. Cognitively I can hardly get through the day function-wise. When people are talking, I can't digest much of what they are saying, it's like the information is bouncing off my forehead and not actually going into my brain. Well, I said all that to say this, I am going to start sleeping for 8-9 hours tops. It's not going to be easy because it'll be an adjustment like anything else, but I am going to give it a whirl, and hope that it makes me feel more healthy, mentally speaking.

Also I would like to extend an apology to everyone who has been following my threads. Two reasons are the cause of why I haven't been around much lately. They are.

1. Trying to get to sleep right after I finish watching anime, instead of staying up on the internet. Tonight is obviously the exception here.

2. I go through moments where I feel withdrawn and to-myself. When I get this way, I find it really hard to interact in any way, whether it be online or in person - especially in person. So if I disappear from time to time, it's not that I am losing interest in chatting with you guys, it has everything to do with how I'm feeling at the time.

 

[MikeyC]

Sleeping 8-9 hours is good, but that's not the only reason you could be feeling sleepy.

What's your diet like? When you're eating poorly, you're likely to have a far more restless sleep. If you eat well (not even super healthy, but just well), you'll have the energy from the food to keep you alert throughout the day.

Do you exercise? If you're lazing around all day, that is also not very good for your sleep and energy levels. Keeping moderately active is a great way to ensure a fuller, deeper sleep at the end of the day. You don't need to lift a million pounds and bench press all day, but just some walking or bike riding will do you some good. The elevated heart rate and the vitamin D from the sun is all beneficial.

Lastly, try to go to bed at a decent hour. If you wake up in the morning, you're likely to not feel like you've wasted the day already, and you'll want to get up and do things.

Good luck in your endeavours. It will be a lifestyle change and you're going to hate it for a little while, but I reckon it'll be a good idea.

 

[Pacific_Loner]

^I agree with all that, and I would add that spending less time in front of a screen will help a lot to make your brain feel less like jello.

 

[Quietguy11]

I really don't know about the physical fitness thing, as far as improving mental health. I have two friends that I know very well, and their lifestyle doesn't allow them to do anything physical. They go to school and spend a lot of time studying, which is good for the mind, but they NEVER exercise. I know this because I'm with them a lot and know what their schedule is for the most part. I use to think that if I went to the gym and exercised I would feel better about myself, but psychologically, I am still the same, even after the time invested at the gym. I am not saying that physical exercise is not beneficial though, but I think it is restricted to your heart and anatomy as opposed to mental or psychological health. I find that the more information you take in during each day, the more your mind gets fed. And I think that a strong mind, and developed confidence is essential for overcoming things like social anxiety, because low self-esteem and anxiety are actually pretty intertwined.

 

[Quietguy11]

Forget what I said above, your advice was helpful, and it is something I need to apply to my life. I will start changing my routine around, get more active, and spend less time watching anime, but without wiping it out altogether.

 

[MikeyC]

My advice is certainly generalised, so fit what works for you. I hope I have made a positive influence!

 

[spider04]

Sleep: Why We Need It and What Happens Without It - YouTube

 

[A86]

just my thoughts, but if you do sleep that long, your body probably needs it.

I have to agree with what others are saying too. Diet probably plays a big part, especially if its not varied enough (don't eat the same thing for breakfast lunch and dinner do you?)

there is also that theory going around about certain levels of light radiation from the sun and its effect on the body telling when its time to sleep. I recall a program for a computer that just mimics the hues depending on the time of day, apparently its been effective in some studies (though some say its just a placebo effect).

Edit: found that program if anyone's interested. http://justgetflux.com/

 

[Pacific_Loner]

I really don't know about the physical fitness thing, as far as improving mental health.

I just want to testify how much exercising makes a difference, I've been doing a lot of sports and exercice for the last 2-3 years, then 6 months ago, I stopped because I wanted to use my time for something else. I didn't realize how much weaker and low-energy the body gets when you let the muscles un-used.

 

[Quietguy11]

OK so physical exercise does improve mental health then because it builds confidence, which is good for your overall mental health. I guess I didn't see it that way at the time when I wrote that. I am going to start walking more in the evenings. To get some exercise, and to get some fresh air. I like to clear my mind and I think that going out for a brisk autumn walk would do just that! But there are some areas of my psyche that I don't think an exercise bike could fix. Not that I am doubting the overall possibilities. I just think cognitive behavioral type therapies would benefit those areas of the mind better than physical exercise would.