Create a CHART and record the following data for at least THREE (3) nights (be sure to record data from at least one non-school night where you can get up whenever you want in the morning):
- Time you fall asleep
- Time you woke up
- Number of hours you slept total
- Number of times you woke up during the night and why
- Amount of caffeine in the hours before bed, and at what time(s) (one cola, etc.)
- How you woke up: on your own or by alarm/other person
- If you remember having any dreams on this night
Be sure to write down at least ONE dream from this week in detail. Even people who claim they never dream will recall a dream if awakened during the REM sleep stage. Everyone dreams every night. You may have greater success remembering your dreams if you use these tips:
- Keep a pen and paper next to your bed
- At night before bed, tell yourself that you'll remember and write your dream in the morning
- When you wake up, stay laying down with your eyes closed(remember context-dependent memory!) and think about what you were just dreaming
- With the lights still dim, write whatever pieces of your dream you are remembering on the paper you have next to your bed
- If you try the above one night and it doesn't work, try setting you alarm for ten minutes before you normally wake up the next day. You might be able to catch yourself in a the REM (dream) stage that way.
Other HW: Read/outline/cards Ch. 7 ... sleep, sleep disorders, dreams!
