Why is it that you can't sleep when you know that you have to get up early (much earlier than you usually do)

you’re probably excited, nervous, or anxious
well when I have to get up earlier than normal I have the same problem too but it’s weird because I always end up waking up like an hour before I need too hopefully that’ll happen to you
oh and whatever you do, don’t do exercises to get you tired right now, it’ll have the opposite effect
good luck

I think maybe your body is just not used to going to bed that early or knowing that you have to get up early.

I don’t have that problem. I generally have a difficult time sleeping before returning to work after an extended time off.

I have this problem as well. For me it is anxiety. Either about the reason I’m getting up early or the sheer fact that I have to get up early. Sometimes it helps to write my worries down. Other times I tell myself I’ll take a nap later in the day (I never actually do) but just believing that is a possibility helps me out. It’s just about finding a way to stop thinking about it.

Also getting off the computer could help :P Have a nice cup of hot tea (caffeine free) and soak your feet in some hot water. Only after finding some mental peace as I mentioned above.

At least you will be on time.

I find that calling in sick usually takes care of the problem.

Of course, that only works when we are talking about work.

You might tense up worrying that you won’t get up on time, as well as maybe fretting about whatever it is that you have to get up early for.

Unfortunately, you can’t ‘bank’ sleep. The best you can hope for is to get as much rest and relaxation as possible, then try to catch up on whatever sleep you lose.

I have Xanax, getting to sleep is not a problem. :-)

here’s a solution ive found to be pretty failsafe. rather than keeping yourself up all night with anxiety about not getting enough sleep, simply accept that you’ll probably be up all night and that it’ll be just one day where you’re a little zombie ish. keep this mindset but make sure to stay in bed with your eyes closed. before 10 minutes is up the anxiety is gone (you’ve already told yourself you’re done for anyway) and you’re sound asleep.

this happens to me as well. i wish i could fix it, because i end up getting no sleep and running out of energy very quickly.

The fact that you need to get up early makes it more important that you get to sleep soon. Thus, you will try to fall asleep, and will be anxious when you don’t. And the harder you try and the more anxious you become, the harder it will be to fall asleep. So if you follow @Rsam‘s advice and forget the need to fall asleep, then you will fulfill that need. Either he had a keen sense of irony, or the creator screwed up big time on this.