I agree with the lamp idea, I got one this year and have felt better since, especially on gloomy days. This is the model I have at sharper Image - http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview/sku=SI412MTL/catid=676889483/pcatid=1 Exercise is probably your best bet, but most people don't do that
Just noticed, if you like that lamp, it's 50% off on this link http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview/sku=SI003YYY
SEbasic: For full spectrum lights, look up SAD light: http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2005-12,GGLD:en&q=SAD+light
Many thanks (I was actually just winding up T0PS), but I did take a look... I should really get one of these things...
Chris is correct. Cut down on caffeine (remember it's also in tea, chocolate, and many soft drinks). Increase water intake. The #1 cause of daytime sleepiness in insufficient water intake -- and coffee, tea, and beer don't count as water There have been health warnings very recently about ephedrine -- be careful with that until there is a clear word one way or another about it.
Technically speaking SAD lights don't necessarily equal Full Spectrum Daylight Lamps... The first is designed to give you a relatively short burst of light treatment with a high dose of Lux. The second can be a replacement for your normal lighting. SAD specific bulbs have a limited burning time. FS lighting like our strip lights can go on for years on end. SEbasic knows where to get them by now
I didn't see anyone else address this, but I think the title of the thread is supposed to be "sleep deprivation" rather than "sleep depravity"... depravity is quite another thing and if you're trying to fight depravity most of the suggestions here aren't going to help much
I noticed, but then, I just got here and didn't get to say it first. If sleep depravity is the problem, why are you complaining?
Watch out for the ephedrine. It's being banned in many states in the US due to health risks. Landed me in the hospital once for a heart problem. I also agree about giving up the caffiene, and any other stimulant for that matter. Sounds like you've developed a resistance, and taking too much can start to get dangerous. Once you've detoxed your body from it, you'll feel better. I also agree with drinking more water, at least a liter a day. Honestly, the best thing to do is be healthier....eat right, exercise right and get enough sleep. anything else is just going to be damaging to your body in the long run.
In summary, dont work in an office, dont work on a computer and get a job that requires physical labour
Both. Between getting up and going to bed. Actually, I work in bed as well since most good ideas come into mind in bed. And when I'm heavily involved in coding during the day I come up with code alterations when dozing off. Interesting phenomenon actually. I normally spend about 10-12 hours at the office and a few hours at home. Weekends often the same. I only cut down when the weather is nice. No deprevation issues.
Just like to throw in my agreement about the caffeine thing. I wouldn't give it up - where's the fun in that - but try really hard to cut back on it. There's just no point drinking bucket loads, you'll build up a tolerance and need to drink heaps to get any effect. Whereas if you cut back on it - maybe go a few days without any, then stick to 1 mug in the morning and maybe 1 after lunch - it'll probably be better all round. (That's what I do these days, used to drink way too much) Moderation in all things, my mother always said!
now that i've been spending countless hours working on my site until ungodly hours of the night, i've bought the "gas station speed pills" and they totally work perfect, i take one around 11am when i start to feel it, and they work almost instantly.... the ones i used pretty much daily are called "Swarm" and they are aound 6.99/bottle for 20 pills they are Ephedra free and are said to be "herbal dietary supplements" damn, i sound like a junky!