Sleep help!

Kerilynnda

Looking for sleep advice – I recently got the fitbit flex which monitors sleep; well I always thought I was getting 7-8 hours of sleep a night, well turns out I am restless for just about half of that, and according to the fitbit I am only getting 3-4 hours of good sleep a night. No wonder i am always feeling exhausted!!

I started drinking chamomile tea before bed hoping that might help, and so far no luck… any advice?

micheleb15

Your body goes through REM cycles. I only spend about 3-4 hours in a deep sleep, the other 3 -4 hours in a lighter state. Does the Fitbit give you a total? Don't let the Fitbit dictate what you think you need. I also take a melatonin before bed, but it mostly helps me fall asleep, doesn't help me stay asleep.

KANGOOJUMPS

booze,,, lots of it,
you will sleep

glass2diamonds

I had to have a sleep study a few months ago (may 2013) because I could not stay awake. I would fall asleep driving to work. (thank GOD no accidents.) Turns out I have mild OSA (obstructive sleep apnea). I was always tired no matter what i did I could sleep 8 to 12 hours and still not be awake. I would fall asleep at my desk at work too. Now I sleep with a CPAP (continuious positive airway pressure) device at night. I am all but cured of my fatigue learning what time i need to go to bed and getting used to the mask is the hardest part but I am a totally different person, More alert, and more energy(down side I get up at 4 am on the weekends but its a good start to get projects and cleaning done). Check with your primary care to see if this might be your case for your fatigue.

HeidiCooksSupper

Some folks are more "busy" than others during sleep. Hubby lies straight as a board on his back most of the night. I'm all over the place. Both of us get a good night's sleep. As you cycle in and out of REM sleep the fit bit may not be registering all your sleep.

simplycorey

I take a magnesium citrate supplement at night and it has helped me a lot. I use this one: http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=N3-1002#.UlLsA1Aqh8E

tb221

I'm not sure if this will help, but it's help me a ton.

About a half an hour before I want to go to bed, I turn off my computer...any electronics, tv, video games and just spend that time getting ready for bed, brushing my teeth, flossing, reading, bedtime yoga (mostly long periods of stretching, nothing too difficult)...anything you want to do to relax and clear your mind. Then when it's bedtime I turn off the lights and it's a lot easier for my mind to rest. The glare of a computer screen isn't the best thing to see right before trying to sleep.

Good luck!

preaser

Giving up caffeine helped me a lot.

20aggie17

Melatonin is magic!

SLLRunner

When I gave up caffeine, I started sleeping much better.

Koldnomore

In for ideas,

I have the same issue, I have no problem getting to sleep but can't STAY sleeping to save my life. I don't drink coffee so it's not caffeine, I don't snore, I don't have sleep apnea. It's funny because when I was heavier I had NO PROBLEM sleeping

I have tried Nyquil (coma in a bottle), herbal sleep teas, going to bed early/late/naps, exercising before bed, stretches, eating, not eating LOL I'm out of ideas... I'm always tired too so I feel your pain.

Kerilynnda

Thanks for everyone's ideas! I'm not a big caffeine drinker - i occasionally have a diet coke for lunch. So i don't think that's the issue. tb221 - i think unplugging a little before bed will help, usually I'll be in bed on my ipad before i fall asleep, I'm going to give that a go this week and see if that helps at all...

It's just frustrating - i'm constantly tired, and I feel like I try and go to bed early, but it's pointless if I'm not sleeping well!

elisabeisme

I'm not a great sleeper so I've tried it all.

for melatonin, try one of the time released capsules. I use the sublingual tabs to help me get to sleep, but sometimes I wake up very early morning when it wears off. I need to get some more time released ones because those work better when I need a full 8-9 hours.

is your husband or pets also active at the same time of night? you might be waking each other up. if that's the case, a memory foam style mattress that doesn't convey movement to the other side of the bed might help.

also, one doctor told me that sometimes your body reacts to changes in digestive metabolism as you sleep. for example. if you eat a big meal before bed, you can get restless once it moves further through digestion. also, with alcohol, sometimes people wake up when the intoxication wears off. therefore, you might try experimenting with eating right before bed versus earlier in the night and see if that helps.

jaycbrf4

booze,,, lots of it,
you will sleep

You beat me too it... I use Bacardi!

qtgonewild

I'm not sure if this will help, but it's help me a ton.

About a half an hour before I want to go to bed, I turn off my computer...any electronics, tv, video games and just spend that time getting ready for bed, brushing my teeth, flossing, reading, bedtime yoga (mostly long periods of stretching, nothing too difficult)...anything you want to do to relax and clear your mind. Then when it's bedtime I turn off the lights and it's a lot easier for my mind to rest. The glare of a computer screen isn't the best thing to see right before trying to sleep.

Good luck!

thats the answer. the blu light in these electronics, tv, computer, cell phone are decreasing your natural melatonin making it harder for you to fall asleep.

but i love my tv and cell phone and also my ambien.

amen.

Nicolle4437

Melatonin is a natural sleep aid. I take one pill before bed and I sleep like a champ. Good luck.