Batty

You are more alert and alive during the time of day (night) that bats and owls are out and about. This is very cool for socializing, but not very easy to fit your everyday life into. YOU are the one they designed those snooze alarms for. YOU are the one sitting in class with tired eyes trying desperately to focus your fuzzy mind on what the teacher just said.

Don't despair. Maybe you'll grow up and have an exciting profession where you get to stay up late and sleep in until 10 or 11 AM. (Your idea of heaven). Meanwhile, here are a few tips for getting through and to your day:

• When it's late at night and you find yourself watching the late show AGAIN, cause you just can't sleep -- go to bed anyway. They say that if you go to bed at the same time every night -- it helps you to fall asleep more easily. Give it a try; what do you have to lose?
• If you are lying in bed and you just are NOT falling asleep. Don't worry about it. Just relax in bed and daydream or make plans. Let your mind run itself out.
• If allowing your brain to go crazy before you finally fall asleep doesn't appeal to you -- try this instead: breathe deeply in and out. Say in to yourself as you breathe in and out to yourself as you breathe out. If thoughts come -- just gently push them aside. Don't get upset at yourself for thinking, just go back to breathing in and out. Focus on your breath. Eventually, you will truly relax and fall asleep.
• Breakfast is important. It gives you energy. Make sure you aren't eating lots of heavy starches or fats though. They can really bog you down. And remember, eat until you are full and satisfied, and then STOP. Overeating can really slow you down.
• The only other thing for a night flier to try is getting up really early so that you become tired earlier in the evening. What? You say that you have tried this already, and it doesn't work? The trick is to do it at least three days in a row. It's tough, but it usually works. You can't change who you are, but like any other creature -- you can adapt!

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