I never needed one.
I could just get up at what ever time I told myself.
But I also have never slept a good nights sleep in my life.
As I have gotten older I'm thinking I was able to do it because I would wake up every hour to peek at the time and then back to sleep.
Which would explain why I have never had a goodnights sleep.

So how do I NOT wake up before the alarm clock goes off?

You don't. I don't trust my power company which means I don't trust that my my clock won't reset to the flashing 12:00 at random. I still wake up to check the time all night long.

I wake up to check the time but that's due to OCD. I have a battery backed up, auto set (gets it's time signal from some atomic clock) alarm clock. As long as the power comes back on before the alarm is supposed to go off, I'm good. I also keep my phone plugged in next to the alarm clock. If there are going to be storms or ice (where the power might go out), I'll set the alarm on the phone, too.

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: I never needed one. I could just get up at what ever time I told myself. But I also have never slept a good nights sleep in my life. As I have gotten older I'm thinking I was able to do it because I would wake up every hour to peek at the time and then back to sleep. Which would explain why I have never had a goodnights sleep. So how do I NOT wake up before the alarm clock goes off?

I also do not use an alarm Don. I don't oversleep either. Only exception being super intoxicated. Even then, I arise and skip it or just do whatever I am obligated to and suffer. I stopped using one when I was in high school (my mother had previously woken me up for elementary I only used it in middle school). I recently (2 years ago) had someone suggest me not using an alarm for poor sleep patterns too. I've not tried using an alarm since this suggestion, though I did ponder it. I kind of like that I don't need one.

A side note. I do notice I sleep MUCH more sound with my mate. My sleep is much more erratic when sleeping alone. Mostly though, my mind runs all the time. I think and have the most ridiculous thoughts and dreams. I seriously can stay in my own head and have a blasty just letting my thoughts fall where they may. Jennifer says she "slows me down" is why I sleep better. Maybe. It has only ever worked this way with one other woman, so she could be on to something. Though sleep with a co-ed always yields slightly better sleeps.

I guess if you try it and it works let me know. Not sure I'd trade what I consider an awesome attribute for only what a random woman might do. Mix it with Jenny's results and GREAT sleep. I'd be down.

Kind of reminds me of the time you (I am pretty sure) and Chris (Rumor) were trying to be able to control your dreams. It sucked, I did it too and became able to control them. Like Chris said, I didn't enjoying dreaming as much.

quote Originally posted by IMSA GT: You don't. I don't trust my power company which means I don't trust that my my clock won't reset to the flashing 12:00 at random. I still wake up to check the time all night long.

Cell phone and alarm with a battery backup.

[This message has been edited by ls3mach (edited 02-07-2014).]

Can't remember ever using an alarm clock. Tell yourself what time you want to awaken and you will, but you can't do it if you rely on a device as backup.
Practice it with naps on your off days. Lay down, tell yourself you want to nap 1 hour and wake up.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Can't remember ever using an alarm clock. Tell yourself what time you want to awaken and you will, but you can't do it if you rely on a device as backup. Practice it with naps on your off days. Lay down, tell yourself you want to nap 1 hour and wake up.

I just recently watched Seinfeld. This post reminds me of Krammer's internal alarm clock. It has been working for me for years though too.

I use an alarm clock because my internal clock runs too fast if something is bothering me I will usually wake up an hour too early.

I've always used an alarm but I'm always already awake and up. It's a rare occasion that I sleep until the alarm goes off. Don't know why, I guess it's the memories from back when I was a child of my Dad throwing a pitcher of water on me while I slept. I had morning chores that had to be done before going to school. Yeah, you learned very quickly that over sleeping was not acceptable. BTW, it was a great childhood.

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Ron
Isn't it strange that after a bombing, everyone blames the bomber, his upbringing, his environment, his culture, his mental state but … after a shooting, the problem is the gun?

My Uncle Frank was a staunch Conservative and voted straight Republican until the day he died in Chicago. Since then he has voted Democrat. Shrug

quote [B]Originally posted by Boondawg But I also have never slept a good nights sleep in my life. As I have gotten older I'm thinking I was able to do it because I would wake up every hour to peek at the time and then back to sleep.

Try this http://www.4alarmclocks.com...HQvLwCFQHNOgodC1gAwg

After years of working on an oil rig alternating 12 hour shifts, I developed the worst shift work sleeping disorder. This clock projects the time on the ceiling. While I still wake up nearly every night around 2am, I fall right back asleep because I don't have to adjust to check the time. Wake up, look up, sigh and close my eyes again. When I first started using this I would wake up almost every hour. Slowly, over time I'm down to once a night.

It may also have something to do with your surroundings, for example I can sleep soundly all night on my couch with or without an alarm clock. Also, for years I couldn't fall asleep without socks on. I'm pretty sure Navy boot camp in January is where that came from. Try examining your habits for patterns in sleep that may be related.

I don't get this whole "waking up to check the time" thing. For what--to see if time has stopped?

quote Originally posted by maryjane: I don't get this whole "waking up to check the time" thing. For what--to see if time has stopped?

I don't get it either. If I wake up I get up. I must not be tired if I wake up.
I suppose they want to see if they can sleep in more, because many times I have seen people set an alarm, and when it goes off, they hit the snooze button three or four times.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: I don't get it either. If I wake up I get up. I must not be tired if I wake up. I suppose they want to see if they can sleep in more, because many times I have seen people set an alarm, and when it goes off, they hit the snooze button three or four times.

Me too. If I awake, I am up. My eyes popped open at about ten after 4 today. As soon as that happens, there is no use to go back to sleep. I have always took it that I have had the right amount of sleep.

I am usually about a 5 hour sleeper. Once or twice a month I need a good 8 to 10 hours though. My body tells me when.

We also have one of those alarm clocks that shine on the ceiling, and I've stopped waking up to check the time over the years.

Now I just need to find one to take with me when I'm not home.

Brad

Add me to the list of people that wake up to check the time. I love waking up looking at the clock and realizing that I still have another 3 hours before I have to get up. I use an alarm clock, but I'm always awake when it goes off.

I'm a super light sleeper, so I'm waking up all the time. Used to that from the Navy...your body gets trained to get up at a moments notice. I used to get shaken every night at weird hours when things broke...I'd have to get up, investigate, then wake up the CO and brief him. He was convinced I never slept....not far from the truth...

quote Originally posted by maryjane: I don't get this whole "waking up to check the time" thing. For what--to see if time has stopped?

I guess you have no clue how frightening that can be. Not so much that time has stopped, but will it start again?

quote Originally posted by blackrams: I've always used an alarm but I'm always already awake and up. It's a rare occasion that I sleep until the alarm goes off. Don't know why, I guess it's the memories from back when I was a child of my Dad throwing a pitcher of water on me while I slept. I had morning chores that had to be done before going to school. Yeah, you learned very quickly that over sleeping was not acceptable. BTW, it was a great childhood.

Heh, my dad used ice water.

I set one when something is super duper really important but I am generally awake long before it goes off anyways. Haven't needed one in many years. I miss the fine art of the sleep in.

I've known some people that wouldn't get up if the dang bed broke thru the floor.

What's the real question? Is it to try to get better sleep?

I find it hard to believe this many PFF members don't own an alarm. I believe Booony (Don). I believe Cliff wakes up due to his job and lifestyle. I know Tony isn't solidly employed and believe he just pops up. I would too if I didn't have solid works that I had to be alert for. Not a dig at Tony, I just know his situation for many years. I'd LOVE most of it...

This is a real trauma. I sleep 30-90 minutes at a time. That's that and that's all. I wake up so early and get going that Jager (dog) looks at me like I'm crazy. She frequently tells me she isn't getting up and just turns over. I don't tell her **** . She is the best animal I've ever owned and I've bred/had/saved hundreds.

I feel some of you are making light of this. It is a serious issue.

Weekends? I'm right as the mail. Up before 6.5. I just survive it.

quote Originally posted by ls3mach: No. He wants to sleep through a night. The alarm will allow this. He can't due to his own accord.

Well, wouldn't that qualify as better sleep? Is the lack of an alarm clock the issue, or is lack of quality sleep the issue?

I wake up between 4-430 am everyday, no matter what time I go to bed even if its 1 am. The only time I sleep past that is if im really sick which is rare. I dont even have an alarm clock.

I sleep like the dead. I hit the snooze button at least twice, unless there's something special going on that I need to be early for.

My work isn't too particular about when I get there, as long as I put in all my time. (Mornings are usually quiet, and afternoons are usually crazy, so sometimes it's an advantage for me to be there later.)

quote Originally posted by cliffw: SNIP I have seen people set an alarm, and when it goes off, they hit the snooze button three or four times.

Current GF will set 9, yes NINE, alarms on her cell phone EVERY NIGHT. Do you know what this means? It means I have to walk back upstairs, NINE times, 5 minutes apart mind you, to shake her and say, "That's your alarm sweetie, time to rise and shine". After the first few times it happened (READ: when I knew I had some spare time to fight about it.) I walked it into the bathroom, still dinging like mad and flushed the toilet as I dismissed the alarm. She got right out of bed! I later joked that she should change the alarm ring to a toilet flushing cause it works better than 9 alarms.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: If I wake up I get up. I must not be tired if I wake up.

I genuinely envy that. Imagine going to bed at 8pm totally exhausted and praying for sleep. You fall right asleep. When you wake up, feeling exhausted still, you realize its only 9pm. Repeat until you finally drag yourself out of bed 9 hours later, still exhausted. Try that for about a week. Like I said, I envy folks that can turn it off for 8 hours straight every night. My pattern is stuck on 2am. EVERY NIGHT I wake up at 2am.

quote Originally posted by Taijiguy: Well, wouldn't that qualify as better sleep? Is the lack of an alarm clock the issue, or is lack of quality sleep the issue?

I won't speak for Don (Boony). As is my case it is quality of sleep. I can't vouch for him, but without obligation I sleep better

You hook the FM radio alarms power to a relay that releases power to a car horn. Problem solved!

quote Originally posted by Fats: We also have one of those alarm clocks that shine on the ceiling ...

Anybody know where I can get one which shines the date, ?

The best alarm I've ever used has been a smartphone app called "Sleepbot". You set the alarm and tell it when you're going to sleep. It adjusts the time the alarm goes if to coincide with your sleep cycle so it goes off when you're in the lightest phase of sleep. You can set how much it varies plus or minus. It has other features as well like monitoring your movements and recording sounds while you sleep.

Sleep apnea may be waking you up. I'll wake up after 5 or 6 hours as my bladder tells me it is time.

quote Originally posted by WBailey1041: Current GF will set 9, yes NINE, alarms on her cell phone EVERY NIGHT. Do you know what this means? It means I have to walk back upstairs, NINE times, 5 minutes apart mind you, to shake her and say, "That's your alarm sweetie, time to rise and shine". After the first few times it happened (READ: when I knew I had some spare time to fight about it.) I walked it into the bathroom, still dinging like mad and flushed the toilet as I dismissed the alarm. She got right out of bed! I later joked that she should change the alarm ring to a toilet flushing cause it works better than 9 alarms.

I'm thinking your GF needs a little of my dad's ice water pitcher training.
She might not be your GF long after that but, she'll be getting up quickly.

------------------
Ron
Isn't it strange that after a bombing, everyone blames the bomber, his upbringing, his environment, his culture, his mental state but … after a shooting, the problem is the gun?

My Uncle Frank was a staunch Conservative and voted straight Republican until the day he died in Chicago. Since then he has voted Democrat. Shrug

I wake up every hour, look at the clock, and say "Only *blank* more hours before I have to get up.".
I finally get tired of doing it at 4am and get up.

I can't tell ya Boon. I use an alarm clock but it's more of a "back-up". I wake each morning between 6:30 and 6:55 with my alarm set at 7:00.

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: I wake up every hour, look at the clock, and say "Only *blank* more hours before I have to get up.".

Why?

Do you have a history of oversleeping?

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Do you have a history of oversleeping?

Not at all.
I have never overslept.
I'm the guy you can depend on.
Or am I...

I would start by first familiarizing yourself with the buttons or knobs or what ever types of controls the alarm clock has. Then read the users manual. Many user manuals can be downloaded online if you don't happen to have one. After you not only read the manual, but also understand it try setting it for a few minutes ahead to go off. Then pretend to be asleep. Then when the alarm goes off you will know that you now know how to use an alarm clock.



Really though. The more people I ask the more people say, they cannot sleep a full nights sleep. I wonder if this is a rising trend and if so what may be precipitating it. Life? Life's stress's? IDK but seems like more and more people are having a hard time getting a good nights rest consistently. I can't remember the last time I slept a whole night through. Neither can my better half. I am usually up before my cell phone alarm goes off. Sometimes hours ahead of it...

quote Originally posted by IMSA GT: You don't. I don't trust my power company which means I don't trust that my my clock won't reset to the flashing 12:00 at random. I still wake up to check the time all night long.

Get one with a battery back-up.

I never found one loud enough to wake me up so I used the radio alarm clocks and turned the radio up as load as it would go. that has worked for me for the last 40 years.

Steve

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Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't



Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 02-09-2014).]

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: I wake up every hour, look at the clock, and say "Only *blank* more hours before I have to get up.". I finally get tired of doing it at 4am and get up.

Put the clock out of reach facing away from you so you can't see what time it is. Set the alarm. This actually sounds like a compulsion or obsession that's interfering with quality sleep.

quote Originally posted by Taijiguy: Put the clock out of reach facing away from you so you can't see what time it is. Set the alarm. This actually sounds like a compulsion or obsession that's interfering with quality sleep.

I agree, but how would not seeing the clock alleviate the compulsion or obsession?
I think I just need to figure out how to let it (worry? fear?) go.

I know people that sleep so hard they are shocked awake by the alarm clock, like they never expected it to go off at all.
When they go to sleep, it seems they completely leave this plain of existence.
When I sleep, I'm still fully in this plain...

[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 02-09-2014).]

quote Originally posted by Taijiguy: Put the clock out of reach facing away from you so you can't see what time it is. Set the alarm. This actually sounds like a compulsion or obsession that's interfering with quality sleep.

Kinda what I thought. Remove the time element--the body works off of the chemical reactions not off of time in the sense of hours and minutes--those are peculiarities our social interactions produced. You don't see it in any other species.
Regardless of the season or what time I go to bed, I wake up just as the sun's light starts to peek over the eastern horizon--unless I have a need to get up earlier. In that case, I just tell myself right before I go to sleep when I need to get up and do so unless an unexpected noise or motion wakes me up earlier.
You can train your body and mind to do anything you want it to.