So I just got this new job about a month and a half ago. I like it pretty well, as far as jobs go. Only problem is that I'm really having trouble with the hours. Mainly the mornings. I can never seem to fall asleep quickly, even though I'm dead tired, and then when I do fall asleep, I tend to wake up every couple of hours. It only happens on the days when I have to get up super early (6:30am). And then the day before I have to work, I usually get really depressed (and yes I can say depressed and not sad because I do have depression) that I have to go back in. But I think the depression is only worse because I'm so sleep-deprived. I can't really talk about this with my parents, because they'll get super worried that I'm going to quit the job, which I am definitely not because jobs are far too hard to come by (especially ones that will work with my misophonia and anxiety) and I like this one well enough.

I can't take sleeping pills because they mess with the meds I take for my anxiety and depression. I can't drink warm milk, because I drink soy milk (I don't think that works the same?). Taking a warm bath doesn't work for me, neither does chamomille tea. I can't use a white noise app/machine because of my misophonia. And as far as staying awake at work, all I know to do is caffeine.

So I guess I'm looking for some things from you guys...

How do you stay awake at work? Are those 5-hour energy drinks safe? How do you get to sleep easier? How do you stay asleep?

During tutoring, I end up really tired for some odd reason. I'm really restless and I need to move constantly, otherwise I lose my focus and drift away.

I usually end up doing crosswords or drawing/drawing, just something to get me occupied. I wouldn't recomand any energy drinks. Those are terrible and mess up your body. It gives sugar that burns really quickly and you end up more tired than anything else. As for sleeping, I go to bed at around 10:30 and wake up at 5 - 6:20 am. I wake up from time to time or don't even sleep at all. I'd suggest to do some soft sport (taking a walk after dinner), meditation or reading. Avoid any type of bright lights an hour before going to bed.

That's all I can think about. Have you checked your level of vitamin B12 recently?

Thanks. What does B12 do?

It can be associated with anemia. But B12 is usually a sleep and energy regulator. Have you had any blood test recently?

I take melatonin when I want to go to sleep. 3mg usually starts effecting me between 30min to an hour. It's the chemical that makes you tired, so when you take it, you get sleepy, and it usually keeps me asleep all through the night.

How do you stay awake at work? I usually drink coffee in the morning and if I need a mid day boost I drink a quarter of a 5 hour energy not even a full half! But im sensitive to caffeine

Are those 5-hour energy drinks safe? I drink them and so do a lot of people. I dont drink too much at a time often though!

How do you get to sleep easier? Despite taking benadryl sometimes, I workout at night and it knocks me out, along with I wake up super early so Im pretty much dead after 11. I also lay in bed on my phone, that bs about putting your phone away to fall asleep isnt true, I fall asleep on my phone sometimes, just wearing myself out while being comfy works.

How do you stay asleep? I wake up once or twice but Im usually still dead tired so I stay asleep. But I think if you make sure no t to drink to close to bedtime you wont have to wakeup to use the bathroom or anything!

Sorry I dont use too many things to help me sleep, I just have to wear my body out basically bc tea and stuff like that doesnt work me either.

I have to get up at 5am thanks to a commute and rarely leave the school (I'm a math teacher) before 5pm with another 45minute commute ahead of me. It really sucks sometimes, and I've had trouble with nodding off in the afternoon if I have a prep period.

First, for getting to sleep: I try not to keep a routine because then my body adjusts fully and things stop working, so I do a number of things.

• Yoga sequences designed to promote sleep. Google for a whole slew of them
• Working out in the evening. Even if it's just a quick ten minutes, it helps wear me out. -Tea. I like a calming and destressing lavender and honey tea, but my last roommate swore by Yogi Tea's Kava tea, and it put even her, an insomniac, to sleep. -Do something repetitive and calm before bed. I crochet or work on Zentangles.

At work: -I swear by 5-hour energy. At school, I only drink half a bottle at a time, but I've never had a reaction to it unless I have it on an empty stomach, in which case I get wired and shaky. -I also drink Yogi Tea's Vital Energy tea in peppermint, which is lovely. -Coffee too, on occasion, since I don't usually take milk in for it. -Cooler environment. I turn the heater down and open my windows to refresh myself -Movement. If I start to nod off during prep, I get up and find an errand to do at the other end of the school to wake myself up.

Good luck!