Sleeping Less...

katyconser

I started here at the end of January, and when I created my profile I was easily sleeping 9-10 hours a night, sometimes even taking an afternoon nap.

Now that I'm eating better and working out regularly, I just don't have the need to sleep as much. I'm down to about 5-6 hours per night (and that's going to bed before my body tells me to and waking up when it tells me to), but I'm not sure if my body has the time it needs to repair itself with so much less sleep. I have cut out 95% of my caffeine intake just by lack of need (used to be 1-2 coffee/espresso drinks per day, and now down to one a week), and my workouts are usually in the late morning or early afternoon, so it's not like I'm wiring myself up right before bedtime.

Is there anything I can (or more importantly, should) do to get those hours of sleep back?

Thanks for your help!!

yesthistime

I sleep more when I overeat and when I eat a lot of carbs. When I control my portions and/or when I lower my carbs, I need significantly less sleep and have more energy and stamina to get through the day. I think it's a good thing :happy:

SmashleeWpg

Oh my gosh, I'm so JEALOUS that you used to sleep 9 - 10 hours! I have never been able to sleep that much, and am always tired. I work rotating ten-hour shifts (days, evenings, nights), so my circadium rhythym is ALL over the place and it drives me nuts. Last night I had a volleyball game from 10 pm - midnight, home at 12:30, bed at 1:30 am, sleep round 2, then up at 5:30 am for work. GRRRRRRROOOSSSS. But even on nights when I'm home in the evenings, I rarely can get to sleep before midnight, even though alarm goes off at 5:30 for dayshift. I'm just always too "wired". So, very jealous of you, and I'd have to agree that you're probably better off getting more like 7 - 8 hours / night in order to recover from working out, etc. I try very hard to avoid the TV and computer and my phone at least an hour before bed time... taking a bath helps sometimes too, or reading a boring book, hehe. Otherwise, I've got nothing and am interested to see what others have to suggest!

ConcordPhil

It sounds like you aren't forcing yourself to wake up after 5 or 6 hours so I would say that your body is telling you that 5 to 6 hours sleep is about right for you at this point. As long as you aren't suffering during the day or taking naps throughout the day then I would say that you're fine. But I would mention it the next time you go to the doc's, giving her all the background information of course.

katyconser

Thanks guys :flowerforyou:

I guess I won't worry about it too much unless I start feeling tired. I just have so much energy since making these changes, and it just lasts and lasts into the night! LOVING the way it feels, though