[metaguri]

i have the opposite problem -- i can't wake up. i'm not horribly sleep deprived, although my schedule isn't very regular (and i don't think it ever will be).

has anyone else had and overcome this problem? i'm talking about a sleep-through-your-alarm-and-never-remember-it-going-off inability to wake up.

i once read that you could try "rehearsing" waking up (getting ready for bed, turning out the light, having your alarm clock 5 minutes later and springing out of bed, repeat ad infinitum). but i don't know if that'll help.

[swombat]

I'm trying something new at the moment, to deal with that. It's actually working pretty well so far.

The key realisation is that there are several aspects of me that can be brought up. Daniel-the-heavy-sleeper doesn't give a damn about alarm clocks, work, commitments, etc, and will stay in bed at every opportunity. Daniel-the-hacker, on the other hand, has no problems doing difficult stuff that requires a log of willpower. So the question is, how do I get Daniel-the-hacker to wake up, rather than the other guy.

My latest solution: set up a TED talk as an alarm clock. Since those talks are almost all very interesting, it immediately brings out the higher Daniel in me, who likes to pay attention to the interesting points being made. This Daniel has no problem making a decision to stay awake long enough to have a caffeinated drink (a Red Bull at the moment, but I might switch back to coffee, depending), which pretty much guarantees I'll wake up fully.

And of course there is the secondary but important advantage of watching one new mind-expanding TED talk every day...

[nikz]

How did you set this up? I'm interested to give it a go ;)

[swombat]

Using a Mac app called "Awaken", though I've heard good things about "Aurora" too.

[sjf]

atd

[stjohn]

I've had the same problem. To solve it, I bought a 24-hour timer switch like this one: http://www.cnaweb.com/productimages/215030.jpg, and plugged it in near my bed. To that I hooked up a cheap garden water pump. Next, I cut out the back of a cardboard box and taped it over the timer with lots and lots of duct tape. The box has a lid so that I can adjust everything as needed.

Now, when I need to wake up at a certain time, I set the timer accordingly, lock the cardboard box lid shut with a padlock, and place the key somewhere outside.

In the morning, the water wakes me up and I can't go back to sleep without turning it off. To do that I need to get up and go outside to get the key, and by the time I've returned, I'm awake enough to make a rational decision to stay awake.

[metaguri]

this is among the funniest things i've read on HN! but it sounds amazing. well done.