I hope I am not alone in feeling that I seem to sleep too much. Over three weeks ago, I started researching sleep. I wanted to know as much about sleep as I could. What motivated me was to understand how to change my sleep pattern, how to get better sleep, and to understand my difficulty sleeping.

I have learned important facts about sleep. Many experts, websites, books and journals I have read explain that sleeping too much is not good for you. I am still in the process of changing my sleep pattern, but find that I am still sleepy. I also find that I suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness. Do any of you feel the same?

I have found that as I become more active, take vitamins, and fill my days with worthwhile work, activities, and fun it is easier to want to stay awake. Yet, as I have learned excessive sleepiness is not just the choice to hit the snooze button or take a nap.

Those who suffer from excessive sleepiness often cannot stop falling asleep during the day. Those who have true excessive sleepiness problems usually have medical issues that cause them to sleep. They even have difficulty sleeping at night, daytime sleepiness, and may have no idea they have a serious medical condition.

I was one of these people who did not know that sleeping during the day could be caused by a serious medical condition. When I began my sleep research, I did know that I did not feel good when I had slept too much. I would always joke that I was like a bat and I should become nocturnal. Sadly enough I have even attempted that.

To me it has been a bit of a joke, but I have tried to stay awake all night and then sleep all day. Now there are people who do have the night shift or jobs at night. I feel that if I had job that kept me active at night, it would be easier to stay awake. Sitting in silence on my bed, trying to do school work, or write, while my family is sleeping in their bedrooms, makes staying awake at night hard.

I have learned that depression, obesity, sleep apnea, narcolepsy and even a brain tumor can cause excessive daytime sleepiness. If fall asleep during the day, and cannot control falling asleep, or find yourself waking up in the middle of night feeling like you cannot breathe, please go see your doctor.

I know that I already suffer from depression and am overweight. I am losing weight and fighting my depression. Luckily, when I sleep during the day, I am choose to go back to sleep. I can stay awake, and even though it is not easy, sleeping during the night is better than sleeping during the day. My sleep research continues and I continue to wish you all sweet dreams!