Sleep patterns

Smoky · 12-21-2005, 03:44 AM

Very curious of the sleep patterns of others as we train and or supplement. It appears I am not alone. I on average get about 4 to 5 hours then I am restless or get up for a bit. Read the forums or some other technical stuff, get sleepy and try again. Very rare can I get more than 6 hours. I nap about an hour a day to get what I can when I can. Nothing like a Saturday afternoon nap for about 2-3 hours. Tend to be busy though. Been this way most of my life, more so as I age. I have yet to find the silver bullet, only learning to live with it instead of fighting it. Allot less stress that way.

OK somebody knock me out, I need the sleep!

Rhyalus · 12-21-2005, 08:19 AM

For me it varies, based on how much stress I am under at work.

I usually wake up at about 3am or so (like you it seems) and struggle to go back to sleep as my mind goes a mile a minute. No "night fears" like I read about on t-nation (Hour of the Wolf, they call it), but just general inability to relax.

If I take a mild dose of benadryl before going to bed I can usually avoid this.

During times of low stress (like Friday and Saturday night), this happens far less.

Regards,
R

SJA · 12-21-2005, 08:53 AM

My GF always marvels at how little sleep I need. I usually get about 5 hours (mostly restless sleep). Some days I can sneak in a power nap (10-20 minutes) and be very refreshed. Then it seems that twice a month, I have a day where I just go for a big 8-9 hour sleep fest.

Rkstr · 12-21-2005, 12:33 PM

All of a sudden I don't feel so bad. I am thankful for 6 hours. It would not be bad at all if they were all together.

Smoky · 12-21-2005, 03:48 PM

We share the pain. Consecutive hours of rest would be wonderful, just not a reality for me. Sometimes just falling asleep is an effort. Can't seem to turn the brain off. If it gets off on some process I am had. Of course I must admit nothing a good back rub can't fix or at least improve. I have tried many types of bedding over the years. None seem to work any better. I do find stretching before bed helps me relax. Sounds like I am a candidate for some GH, as it appears to provide more restful sleep for some. And look at the side benefits. Makes a mind say ... Hmmmm?!

My current cycle does not seem to affect my sleep patterns much. I do feel a little more tired by days end but nothing inhibiting in any way. I believe I may be falling asleep faster. (after stretching) Can anyone else relate their cycle/sleep experience?

For those of us that are challenged I do give some concern to getting adequate rest when training. I try to rest when I can and feel tired. I practice stress relief as frequently as possible as well. So I feel energetic and ready to go most of the time. Of course I tend to feel that way once my eyes open irregardless of the time.

SJA · 12-22-2005, 07:54 AM

Master the power nap. If I'm a little tired at work, I'll go to my car and crash for 10-20 minutes. I feel as though I've had 8 hours of sleep after that. I don't even need an alarm clock....I just wake up and get rolling again.

**whunterx** · 12-23-2005, 03:55 PM

I usually have to go to the john a couple of times a night, that seems to screw me up. I never feel like I get a complete nights sleep.

**AGELESS** · 12-24-2005, 09:14 AM

Been there....done that.....

Smoky · 12-24-2005, 11:28 AM

Well Ageless you would seem to be the most experienced among us. Been there and done most of what we speak of. And some we havent yet I am sure. Any tips sir?

**AGELESS** · 12-24-2005, 05:40 PM

Some nights I toss & turn, cant sleep - my mind goes a mile a minute.

I found a very unusual way to sleep - now this is not a joke and it beats counting sheep....try it at least once.

I count the women in my life. I go back as far as I can remember - the first event (with names if possible) with each....in detail. (dont count ex wives or this wont work LOL)

I tell ya...this really works...I dont remember ever finishing the list and Im asleep - deep sleep.

Good Luck

Im going to go take a nap now LOL

Knowbull · 12-24-2005, 07:10 PM

In my experiences, sleep is interrupted by urination, been this way for decades, talked to others that experience the same thing, could be a stoneage primal remnant. I try to drink no fluids with in 4 hours of bed time.

Rogue Drone · 12-24-2005, 08:13 PM

Frequent urination need during sleep is a sign of Prostate enlargement, had it checked?

The problem with napping versus longer sleep is that you will get either deep delta sleep or light dreaming theta, but not both,and you need both for optimum mind and body renewal.

There are many chemical aids to sleep like Melatonin, 5HTP, Phenibut, etc and another possibility, works for many, is pink sound generators and/or sleep sound recordings that use binaural beats to lull you down.

**CDB** · 12-24-2005, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Drone

Frequent urination need during sleep is a sign of Prostate enlargement, had it checked?

While not over 35, sleep problems have been constant in my life. Serious periods of insomnia, as in enough sleep deprivation to start hallucinating, were a regular occurance in my life for a while. Melatonin is the best thing I've found. Next best thing, no joke, director's commentaries on DVDs. DVDs that put me to sleep with the commentary on are The Exorcist, John Carpenter's The Thing, Natural Born Killers, The Seventh Seal and any of the Star Wars movies. Basically movies I'm familiar with and have seen a lot.

Bump to the prostate. Having to piss all the time isn't really normal, it's usually indicative of some problem. My father had his checked shortly before he died and it was enlarged. The reason he had it checked was because of frequent urination. It's something to keep an eye on.

Meerschaum · 12-25-2005, 12:10 AM

I sleep about 4-5 hours a night, I always feel messed up in the head, but its a good thing, it keeps me sharp...

Pushofabutton · 12-25-2005, 12:16 AM

I always get 8 hrs of sleep. I currently work graves so when ever i have to pull a long shift i can sleep for up to 12 hrs.

anabolicrhino · 12-25-2005, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGELESS

Some nights I toss & turn, cant sleep - my mind goes a mile a minute.

I found a very unusual way to sleep - now this is not a joke and it beats counting sheep....try it at least once.

I count the women in my life. I go back as far as I can remember - the first event (with names if possible) with each....in detail. (dont count ex wives or this wont work LOL)

I tell ya...this really works...I dont remember ever finishing the list and Im asleep - deep sleep.

Good Luck

Im going to go take a nap now LOL

although I feel blessed in both sleep and appetite.The times I am awake I have learned to enjoy..because I use the same technique.I recount my memories from the earliest to present day.Most of them are about women(all)I am sure I don't have the same number as you, but it is especially satisfying when I remember one that I had forgot.I am also a big fan of the power nap usually around 11am or 7pm.When all else fails sex if possible(mastrubation just not as effective)reading,oatmeal,ZMA or my personal all time favorite Tryptophan.If you enjoy lucid dreaming(especially about the old girlfriends) try mixing tryptophan with tramadol.Merry Christmas I am still awake!

SJA · 12-25-2005, 01:05 AM

I piss about 3-5 times per night....my prostate always checks out fine. I seem to have to piss whenever I relax. I drink 1.5 gallons of water each day and seem to hold onto it until I nap or go to bed. I always thought it was a prostate issue until I started having physicals....it isn't.

I'm going to try counting old GF's....Hell....I may even have to go out and get a few more to make this work.

I also enjoy watching Cold Case Files or Forensic Files.....they always relax me.

Pink noise works great. I have it in most areas where I work and I find it VERY hard to stay awake when I'm a little tired. I never thought of putting a generator in my room...hmmm....good idea.