Question about Exercising after No Sleep/Insomnia

Same type of problem here the past 2 nights I average about 3 hours of sleep a night. I think it has to do with me cutting calories though as opposed to exercise. The thing is I dont feel tired the next day. I asked my aunt who is a nurse. She said to drink warm milk and take a hot bath. I don'tknow if that will help, but I'm open to trying.

Some of my best workouts have been when I have found I couldn't get to sleep after staying up too late, and hit the gym instead.

This may or may not help.

I discovered I sleep better when I get daily exercise. Even if it's just going for a brisk 45 min walk a few hours before bed time. It helps clear my head, and helps me relax, so I sleep better.

I hope you find the solution.

Strangely enough I have a similar problem. When I am stressed I tend to average 3-4 hours sleep a night and then once a fortnight I crash for 12 hours. Apparently if I am really stressed I even manage to sleepwalk and talk in those 3-4 hours. I havent ever found a cure for it apart from to just let it happen. I've been like that for about 8 years.

Warm milk, bananas, prescription drugs, herbal remedies, alcohol... none of it works. All I can say is that I guess that's the way life is for some of us and the more worried we get about it, the worse it gets.

Yes, absolutely exercise on those days if you can. It will help balance your hormones.

As far as sleeping aides. I would stay away from any prescription or OTC sleeping pills.

Avoid caffeine during the day, even in the morning if you can.
Avoid eating late in the evening.
Stay off the computer before you go to bed.
If you don't fall asleep within 30 minutes get out of bed and do something (repeat until you fall asleep).

I've had the same problem at some points in my life, and I find that for me it's directly related to stress. When it's happened, exercising regularly actually didn't help me sleep at all (I almost think it made it worse), nor did melatonin or anything like that, but everyone's different.

As for exercising when you're that tired... generally, it's suggested you get enough sleep before exercising, but if you do this regularly, you can always start with a 30 minute workout and see how you feel. If I don't get enough sleep, I also HATE the idea of working out. Occasionally, my sleep-deprived workout is AWESOME. Most of the time, I have a crappy workout that I have to push myself through the whole time. However, I've never regretted a workout, no matter how crappy I felt, and afterwards I'm usually happier for it.

Good luck.

Yes, absolutely exercise on those days if you can. It will help balance your hormones.

As far as sleeping aides. I would stay away from any prescription or OTC sleeping pills.

Avoid caffeine during the day, even in the morning if you can.
Avoid eating late in the evening.
Stay off the computer before you go to bed.
If you don't fall asleep within 30 minutes get out of bed and do something (repeat until you fall asleep).

^^THIS^^

I was struggling to sleep a while ago through stress at work, and a social worker gave me this exact advice.

Another MAJOR thing she added was about your thought patterns, and breathing patterns. She told me to listen to my breathing. This will help relax you, just concentrate on normal breathing, don't do any over exaggerated breathing or anything unnatural, just breathe and listen to yourself doing this. Tie this in to your thought patterns. When you get thoughts that keep rolling round in your head just try and embrace them! Acknowledge them as thoughts, thoughts are normal! However bad they are or whatever they are about. You cannot change the past, or future. I know the thing you do after a while of trying to sleep is to try blocking the thoughts out. If you do this they will come back but stronger, just acknowledge they are there and let them flow, but all the time concentrate on your breathing. They will perhaps not dissapear completely but this should put you in a natural state to sleep. It worked for me but it is extremely difficult at first, a lot more difficult than it sounds, but like anything, after practice it does work. Main points are this, caffeine and computer before bed. Avoid anything that keeps your mind active before bedtime.

Maybe try taking some natural type of sleeping aid also, but like the quote says i wouldn't go with any prescription medication unless it's unavoidable, which in this case it may be.

Hope this helps!

Sleep often eludes me, as well. I'm not a big fan of prescription sleep aids, but I take OTC Gravol once in a while. It helps me drift off. Something else that helps is playing out a little story in my mind. Imagine you're on vacation in your favorite location, and play out a little scenario (cute cabana boy optional) . It helps take your mind off of more stressful things and sort of leads the way into dreamland.

bump

@Minerva I recall studying about that disorder. I'm contemplating getting sleeping pills. However, I'm not a big fan of meds.

I know all about this, because I've worked nights the last 19 months and can't sleep for @#$#@ with the sun out and neighbors mowing, honking, playing, etc. I usually find it does help to wear myself out on these days. I know it sucks. I'm pretty sure I've sleep-ran before (actually dreaming, not daydreaming, but dreaming while running). Even 8-10 miles at a time. But THAT night, I will definitely sleep. If you run 8 miles and don't sleep that night, it's time to check into the ER.

I just want to give my two cents.


What helps me sleep, is evening exercise(yoga is probably best), melatonin, a book and an enforced bedtime. Go to bed at the same time every night to help train your body and sit there with a book and a really dim light. I'm sure that you've tried it, but maybe it's worth a second go. I also have a flax/lavender eye pillow to block out ALL light!!! NO LIGHT is so incredibly important for sleep.

I hope this helps.

-Cassie

Get out of bed and do a workout at home instead of tossing and turning -you might as well use the time wisely haha!