Nightmares from working out?

BonnieandClyde29
BonnieandClyde29 Posts: 1,026 Member
edited February 2 in Health and Weight Loss
When I was a teenager I was "diagnosed" with insomnia, depression, PTSD, and ADHD... I didn't like how all those medicines were affecting me so I stopped taking them, when originally I went to counseling because of some bad "events" that had occurred, and constantly had nightmares and night terrors. I would scream and cry in my sleep, and be violent.

Now I've mostly learned how to live with all of this and take it in a different direction especially without meds. over the years, but ever since I have started working out again, I am getting nightmares really bad!!! I understand if I don't get enough sleep which is always twice a week the same 2 days, I expect it, but even when I get really good sleep, they are just horrible, and not sure how to feel about it.

Anyone experience this? Or know maybe what could cause this? Yes I know talking to a doctor would be better but waiting on health insurance to kick in first!

Replies

  • BonnieandClyde29
    BonnieandClyde29 Posts: 1,026 Member
    AND by the way, I have been trying to make sure I am not hungry, and under my cals, and drinking a lot of water.
  • TiffieLand
    TiffieLand Posts: 159
    What time do you exercise. You might feel that way if you exercise to late or too close to your sleeping time. That 's what happen to me. Workout shouldn't do that to you since it is suppose to produce something to make you happy rather than opposite. It is really hard to tell so as you said to check with the doctor is the best.
  • BonnieandClyde29
    BonnieandClyde29 Posts: 1,026 Member
    I work overnights, and wake up anywhere from 3pm-5pm, and workout anywhere from 6pm-8pm, and I have been doing P90X, then onto work around 1030pm-6030am generally i sleep anywhere from 7-3 or 8-4, 9-5, and of course on occasion I will sleep in, and don't workout as much when I'm tired on the two days I don't sleep that well, but since my body is getting adjusted to it I will, just not as hard.


    and that's what I was thinking, I feel stupid for asking it, but that's the only constant that is going on, because nothing in general is bothering me lately so I dont know why it would bother me
  • Territravel
    Territravel Posts: 165 Member
    I work midnights as well. Sometimes, to help me sleep I would take melatonin. I soon noticed that I was having a lot of nightmares. I quit the melatonin and the nightmares went away!
  • Papillon22
    Papillon22 Posts: 1,160 Member
    While I don't have nightmares, if I work out after 6 pm, I can never get to sleep and sleep badly. I'd suggest trying to work out as soon as you wake up instead. Also, have you always been physically active or is doing P90X something new? I ask because that's an intense workout and maybe your body is "freaking out" at its intensity.
  • Addis_Daddy12
    Addis_Daddy12 Posts: 548 Member
    Working out can cause your hormones to have a different effect on your body. There are certain chemical reactions in your body from working out that may be related to your night terrors unless it is brought on by some type medicine you are taking. Are there days when you don't work out and the dreams don't occur?
  • BonnieandClyde29
    BonnieandClyde29 Posts: 1,026 Member
    @Terri- Melatonin never works for me, I am ok at falling asleep now it is just these horrible nightmares, and they keep waking me up, and I will be drenched in sweat and feel like I'm panicking!!!

    @Pap- I work out at 6pm because that is around the time I wake up because I work overnights, it could be because of P90X, but I am making sure I don't over do it, I started doing other workouts first and getting somewhat better at my fitness level before just jumping into, but still I guess it could be a factor?
  • aquarabbit
    aquarabbit Posts: 1,621 Member
    I work out in the morning and at night, and I'm on graveyard too. I have to workout at least 2 hours prior to sleeping in order to be able to sleep properly and not have weird dreams. I also take a hot shower before bed and the homemade lotion that I use at night is lavender scented, so it helps to relax me, but you can always buy unscented and add lavender essential oil. I also wear a sleep mask so that everything is pitch black, and I have a nighttime yoga routine that not only helps me relax and sleep better, but also keeps me from getting too stiff and sore the next day. I can go through my yoga routine if you want to try it. It takes about 10-15 minutes depending on how long you hold the stretch.
  • BonnieandClyde29
    BonnieandClyde29 Posts: 1,026 Member
    Working out can cause your hormones to have a different effect on your body. There are certain chemical reactions in your body from working out that may be related to your night terrors unless it is brought on by some type medicine you are taking. Are there days when you don't work out and the dreams don't occur?

    Sometimes yeah I won't get any when I haven't worked out....I also got off of Depo (birth control) in May, aaaaand I still haven't gotten a "monthly", so I figured maybe that could be the case too since that has been doing other weird things to my body. Other than that though no I don't take any meds especially for sleep when I was 14 I was prescribed, Seroquil, Trazadone, Rozerum, and Ambien because my night terrors and nightmares were so bad, but it's been a long time since then and I didn't like how the medicines made me feel and they actually made my nightmares more vivid!
  • BonnieandClyde29
    BonnieandClyde29 Posts: 1,026 Member
    I work out in the morning and at night, and I'm on graveyard too. I have to workout at least 2 hours prior to sleeping in order to be able to sleep properly and not have weird dreams. I also take a hot shower before bed and the homemade lotion that I use at night is lavender scented, so it helps to relax me, but you can always buy unscented and add lavender essential oil. I also wear a sleep mask so that everything is pitch black, and I have a nighttime yoga routine that not only helps me relax and sleep better, but also keeps me from getting too stiff and sore the next day. I can go through my yoga routine if you want to try it. It takes about 10-15 minutes depending on how long you hold the stretch.

    I would LOVE to try it!!!
    Actually too, tomorrow will be my Day 4 of P90X, and it's 90 minutes of yoga....We will see how that goes, I've never done Yoga before, not sure either if I should log that as Yoga, or circuit training, or just P90X in my MFP log :/
This discussion has been closed.

Categories