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How important is sleep?
- Thread starter Puddles
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PBR
New member
sleep
PUDDLES- I thought you were the "all-knowing" ????Well for starters, the military says very little....MMMM???? new age says very little, nutrtionists say we have cycles that we must go thru every day and that those cycles are based on" light" itself....we exist (our-bodies) respond to light/darkness....this I do know to be true....However, you are going to make me research this arent you???? DAMN......thought provoking.....
PUDDLES- I thought you were the "all-knowing" ????Well for starters, the military says very little....MMMM???? new age says very little, nutrtionists say we have cycles that we must go thru every day and that those cycles are based on" light" itself....we exist (our-bodies) respond to light/darkness....this I do know to be true....However, you are going to make me research this arent you???? DAMN......thought provoking.....
Ceebs
New member
MrsPuddlesFL said:
I'm not sure about the fat loss or hormone production angles, but there's a certain "recharging" of the mental batteries and resynthesis of essential neurotransmitters that can only occur in deep sleep.
I actually look forward to sleep now, when I can get it. I look at it as turning my mind off and taking a vacation from my body.
SteelWeaver
New member
I agree, and I wish I could get more of it. I have a sneaking suspicion that I would improve a lot faster with more sleep.
I believe growth hormone is released during sleep, and have even read bits & pieces here and there that someting as short as a 30 minute nap in the afternoon can induce GH release, amongst other beneficial mental and physiological effects.
Sleep as much as you can and take naps in the afternoon whenever possible.
I believe growth hormone is released during sleep, and have even read bits & pieces here and there that someting as short as a 30 minute nap in the afternoon can induce GH release, amongst other beneficial mental and physiological effects.
Sleep as much as you can and take naps in the afternoon whenever possible.
nikkita
New member
>How much sleep do we need?
Between 8 and 10 hours, but you will find how much you need according to your training and other activities.
>How does sleep affect our goals?
Lack of sleep sure affect goals, either you are in cutting or bulking or just maintaining... you can not progress if you don't have sleep time in check.
Between 8 and 10 hours, but you will find how much you need according to your training and other activities.
>How does sleep affect our goals?
Lack of sleep sure affect goals, either you are in cutting or bulking or just maintaining... you can not progress if you don't have sleep time in check.
macrophage69alpha
New member
sleep= extremely important
Nonerz
New member
I used to have the same problem...couldn't sleep. I have always been a night owl and would be up all night organizing my sock drawer, etcetera! Since I've been taking 5HTP, it has really helped to regulate my sleeping patterns. I took one yesterday and last night around 10-10:30, I was ready for bed! Yaaay, it works!
gingersnap
New member
Growth Hormone is released during sleep, and for what it's worth eating sugar before bedtime reduces the amount of growth hormone released. Protein increases it. This is why teenagers need more sleep than any other segment of the population; it is the biggest growth spurt of our lives and it's the growth hormone that causes it. So for building muscle, I believe sleep is very important.
JJFigure
New member
Since I've dropped the thermos, I've been sleeping wonderfully and loving every minute. This morning was my first super early morning in a while (4:00 am), and since I helped out in a training room last night, I didn't get to bed until after 11:00. I've had a headache all day, but I did get a decent lift in. I'm shooting for 10 hours tonight to make up for it though, or my lifts will start dropping like flies.
This is purely anecdotal though; I'm too brain-dead to look for studies or anything.
This is purely anecdotal though; I'm too brain-dead to look for studies or anything.
Puddles
New member
PBR...thanks for confusing me even more! LOL
I ask about this because for the past 3 months I've averaged about 4-6 hrs. of sleep a night (with my husband waking me up nightly because of my snoring, and waking to go to the bathroom once or twice). Most mornings I've been waking up without an alarm and not being able to fall back to sleep. I've had boughts of insomnia in the past but the prescription meds always made me feel awful so I won't go there again. I've tried several natural remedies and supplements in the past and nothing has really helped. I've also always been a night person and just came to accept it, but with me waking up earlier in the mornings lately I just don't know what to think. If I go to bed before I really feel tired, I will lay there for hours. I don't feel a need for naps during the day unless the sleep is like 3 hrs. or less. When I go for a few days with 3-4 hrs. of sleep I'll take xanax to knock me out, but I wind up taking it at like 3-4am and then feel groggy until late afternoon and if I take xanax for more than 2 or 3 nights in a row it messes with my thought processes (my speach is off, can't complete sentences, can't do simple math in my head, etc). I've been avoiding stimulants except for morning coffee. When I wake up and I know I'm up, I'm groggy, so the coffee helps me get moving. I don't know if I should try fight it or not. Usually I'm only like this for a few weeks at most, but now it's been months and my body is starting to feel it at times.
I ask about this because for the past 3 months I've averaged about 4-6 hrs. of sleep a night (with my husband waking me up nightly because of my snoring, and waking to go to the bathroom once or twice). Most mornings I've been waking up without an alarm and not being able to fall back to sleep. I've had boughts of insomnia in the past but the prescription meds always made me feel awful so I won't go there again. I've tried several natural remedies and supplements in the past and nothing has really helped. I've also always been a night person and just came to accept it, but with me waking up earlier in the mornings lately I just don't know what to think. If I go to bed before I really feel tired, I will lay there for hours. I don't feel a need for naps during the day unless the sleep is like 3 hrs. or less. When I go for a few days with 3-4 hrs. of sleep I'll take xanax to knock me out, but I wind up taking it at like 3-4am and then feel groggy until late afternoon and if I take xanax for more than 2 or 3 nights in a row it messes with my thought processes (my speach is off, can't complete sentences, can't do simple math in my head, etc). I've been avoiding stimulants except for morning coffee. When I wake up and I know I'm up, I'm groggy, so the coffee helps me get moving. I don't know if I should try fight it or not. Usually I'm only like this for a few weeks at most, but now it's been months and my body is starting to feel it at times.
Puddles
New member
spatts said:
How does a person have that stuff checked? I had a deviated septum years ago, but had that fixed when I had sinus pollyps removed...what a fun surgery that was. LOL Never had problems with my tonsils that I know of. Apnea...that's when you stop breathing during your sleep, right? I've asked my husband if I do that and he hasn't seen it.
I just don't sleep and am wondering how much the lack of sleep is affecting me and weather I should worry about it or not. I'm on cycle now (4th week) which I started because I was not recovering from surgery...the cycle has put me close to where I was before both physically and mentally, so I think I made a good decision. But I am wondering if it's a sleep issue that's also hindering my progress.
I'm gonna start another post in a few minutes about bloat during AS and pre-menstrual cycle...I'm goin nuts here. Grrrrrrrrr!
Night Fly
New member
Mrs. P... Talk to your doctor about having a sleep study done. That will help diagnose sleep apnea if you do, in fact, suffer from that. Also, you can ask him to give you a referral to an ENT (Ear, nose, & throat doc) and he/she should be able to test for any possible abnormalities that you are wary of.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Puddles
New member
I had a wonderful ENT who did my sinus surgery. That was about 8 yrs. ago...if he's still around I'd like to work with him. I know my uvula is a problem and I've been thinking of seriously looking into lazer surgery to reduce it. Hubby's out of town now and last night I guess I snored right through the night because it was swollen and irritated this morning. Guess hubby's interruptions are actually good for me. LOL
Nonerz
New member
My dad has sleep apnea really bad. He would hold his breath for close to 30-45 seconds per minute! He recently found out that this was causing him to gain weight, despite the fact that he works out 4-5 times a week and hasn't changed his diet. The doctor told him that he wasn't getting QUALITY sleep...he would wake up several times in the night, having to take a piss again and again. His body wasn't getting the oxygen needed to repair itself!
He recently got one of those machines where you have this gas mask type device that you put over your nose and mouth and the machine literally pushes oxygen down your throat.
He swears by it...but more convincingly, my mom swears by it. He doesn't hold his breath or snore anymore with it on! He wakes up feeling well rested and is so excited to finally have a solution that works for him. He had the surgery for a deviated septum years ago which improved his snoring/holding breath for a little while...but it didn't last.
A little tip...get the humidifier to keep your nasal passage moist. Before he got the humidifier he was having lots of problems with his severe allergies. Now he (and my mom too) gets a great night's sleep!
Good luck girlie!
He recently got one of those machines where you have this gas mask type device that you put over your nose and mouth and the machine literally pushes oxygen down your throat.
He swears by it...but more convincingly, my mom swears by it. He doesn't hold his breath or snore anymore with it on! He wakes up feeling well rested and is so excited to finally have a solution that works for him. He had the surgery for a deviated septum years ago which improved his snoring/holding breath for a little while...but it didn't last.
A little tip...get the humidifier to keep your nasal passage moist. Before he got the humidifier he was having lots of problems with his severe allergies. Now he (and my mom too) gets a great night's sleep!
Good luck girlie!
Sleep...I don't leave home without it...
Make sure that your insurance will cover the tests though... My mother went to have that done and when she found out that it was gonna cost like 3k she turned around and came home...
B True
Make sure that your insurance will cover the tests though... My mother went to have that done and when she found out that it was gonna cost like 3k she turned around and came home...
B True
Night Fly
New member
Nonerz said:
You are talking about a CPAP machine. I have a friend who has to wear that at night and she claims that it helps her out so much! I'm sure it's a pain to get used to, but if it helps you sleep through the night without doing damage to your body...I would be all for it!
Puddles
New member
Noonerz...I'm gonna let the video tape run one night to see if that's happening to me. Weird thing happens to me when I'm starting to drift off to sleep...I wake myself up thinking that I'm not breathing. Now I'm damn curious!
My MIL went on nighttime oxygen not too long ago (she's got some bad health problems and had a stroke that paralyzed her when she was in her early 40's) and suddenly she is down about 25 lbs. which is good because she needed to loose about that much.
B-fold...thanks for the heads up on the cost issue. Being self employeed, my insurance sucks. Even a normal trip to the doctor always comes back as "above and beyond reasonable and customary charges." Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr! I think I'll do the video tape to see if this gives me any indications first!
My MIL went on nighttime oxygen not too long ago (she's got some bad health problems and had a stroke that paralyzed her when she was in her early 40's) and suddenly she is down about 25 lbs. which is good because she needed to loose about that much.
B-fold...thanks for the heads up on the cost issue. Being self employeed, my insurance sucks. Even a normal trip to the doctor always comes back as "above and beyond reasonable and customary charges." Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr! I think I'll do the video tape to see if this gives me any indications first!
Nonerz
New member
NF, my dad used to fall asleep all the time...even in the middle of conversations AND a few times behind the wheel! Now that is serious and scary. My dad is totally sold on the machine (despite the fact that his dog is a big baby and was scared of it for weeks...the dog sleeps with my parents...in their bed ).
).
W6, how do we address that with our training and nutrition? Will just giving ourselves a few extra days to recover suffice? I've run through my easy newbie gains and the curve has really flattened out now. During the week I might get 6 hours sleep nightly. My first post on this board was about the efficacy of hitting each bodypart once weekly. I wanted to train only on the weekends when I was very well rested and my energy level was high. So far this doesnt appear to be working too well.
Puddles:
I know coffee is a wonderful thing. Believe me, it helps me although I know it isnt very great for my overall diet. I have read in a few different places that apples are great breakfast/wake-up food that can replace coffee. As for getting to sleep, have you tried any brand of decaf bedtime tea? There are a zillion different brands out there, but Green Teas are pretty good. You can get Green Tea with Lavender and Chamomille which can help relax you for bedtime.
Sleep is muy importante!!! Just one all-nighter can throw your sleep cycle off for a month! Most reports I have read say 8-10 hours of good sleep is a must for good health. But it is not so much just sleep that you need, it's REM sleep. REM sleep is when you dream, and keeps you mentally balanced.
Good luck!
Jinx
I know coffee is a wonderful thing. Believe me, it helps me although I know it isnt very great for my overall diet. I have read in a few different places that apples are great breakfast/wake-up food that can replace coffee. As for getting to sleep, have you tried any brand of decaf bedtime tea? There are a zillion different brands out there, but Green Teas are pretty good. You can get Green Tea with Lavender and Chamomille which can help relax you for bedtime.
Sleep is muy importante!!! Just one all-nighter can throw your sleep cycle off for a month! Most reports I have read say 8-10 hours of good sleep is a must for good health. But it is not so much just sleep that you need, it's REM sleep. REM sleep is when you dream, and keeps you mentally balanced.
Good luck!
Jinx
J
jenscats5
Guest
One word: Ambien
It's a sleeping pill which has no side effects of grogginess, etc. See if you can get a scrip for it. 1/2 of a 10 mg pill a nite really helps one to fall asleep.
My hubby just DOES NOT SLEEP. He can't fall asleep or stay asleep & sometimes doesn't sleep for days. It's not apnea, snoring, polyps, etc. He just doesn't sleep. The ambien really helps.
Re: lack of sleep probs. I read an article that says lack of sleep causes weight gain & studies show that eventually the brain will shut down. I know with my hubby he gets very irritated easily, angry, can't think or function & definitely can't exercise. Sleep is very, very important. Good luck to you.
It's a sleeping pill which has no side effects of grogginess, etc. See if you can get a scrip for it. 1/2 of a 10 mg pill a nite really helps one to fall asleep.
My hubby just DOES NOT SLEEP. He can't fall asleep or stay asleep & sometimes doesn't sleep for days. It's not apnea, snoring, polyps, etc. He just doesn't sleep. The ambien really helps.
Re: lack of sleep probs. I read an article that says lack of sleep causes weight gain & studies show that eventually the brain will shut down. I know with my hubby he gets very irritated easily, angry, can't think or function & definitely can't exercise. Sleep is very, very important. Good luck to you.
MsBeverlyHills
New member
MsPuddles-- your not sleeping cause your playing on the internet all night...LOL!!
jsut kidding!!! try that Ambian-- Ive also heard it works real well-- no sides.
jsut kidding!!! try that Ambian-- Ive also heard it works real well-- no sides.
I myself am a CHAMPION SLEEPER! amd now i thank God that i am..ik never thought so many people had sleep problems. How horrible. I could drop my head down anytime of day and be asleep within 5 min MAX> and I dont walk around lethargic either. Im alert and focused and energized but still i could doze off in no time LOL even with thermos i fall asleep by 9 or 9:30 every night during the week and i wake up 7 AM. So im getting plenty of sleep regularly. The only time i CANT FALL ASLEEP>> is when im extremely OVERTIRED like if i have been awake for close to 24 hours straight then i find my sleep is severely affected.Good luck to anyone who is having sleep issues.
Puddles
New member
MsBeverlyHills said:
LOL...some people read a book to help fall asleep, I read the net. Hubby watches tv but that just keeps me up. At least my eyes eventually get tired lookin at this darn screen so late.
I'm thinkin I might try the ambien if it doesn't make you feel awful the next day.
I also have green tea...haven't tried it to help me sleep, I usually just have it once in a blue moon during the day, iced.
Thanks for everyone's input here. It's much appreciated.
Smurfy...I'm soooo jealous...go away!!!!!!!!!!
j/k of course...glad to hear that at least someone's getting a good night's sleep!I know I get some REM sleep...I often wake up remembering what I was dreaming about. I've also been waking up with night sweats...what's the deal with that? Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!
J
jenscats5
Guest
MrsP -- I take the Ambien myself -- 1/2 of a pill & it helps me to fall asleep. I have NO side effects. I'm always tired -- that's just me, but that has nothing to do with the Ambien. Try it if your doc will prescribe it -- mine wouldn't!
Sassy69
New member
Another option - valerian root tea - kinda smells funny but it helps.
Sleep I think is my nemesis. Ever since coming back from the big trip to the USA's I've been sleeping practically all day every day. So over the weekend I try to get myself back on a regular schedule. Very painful. "3:00am" is a very familiar sight on my clock again. Last night I took some of the OTC sleeping pills - they do help me, but then I'm generally sorta flaky all day. I even threw in today's shipment of Neurogenix and I was good for a few hours & then flaky again. I'll give some observations on that little experiement in a few days. I'm trying to get a balance between sleeping at night & being awake during the day. (You'd think that wouldn't be so damn hard...)
MrsP - did you do the video tape yet?
Sleep I think is my nemesis. Ever since coming back from the big trip to the USA's I've been sleeping practically all day every day. So over the weekend I try to get myself back on a regular schedule. Very painful. "3:00am" is a very familiar sight on my clock again. Last night I took some of the OTC sleeping pills - they do help me, but then I'm generally sorta flaky all day. I even threw in today's shipment of Neurogenix and I was good for a few hours & then flaky again. I'll give some observations on that little experiement in a few days. I'm trying to get a balance between sleeping at night & being awake during the day. (You'd think that wouldn't be so damn hard...)
MrsP - did you do the video tape yet?
geoffgarst
New member
Sleep is very important for recovery when training. Minimum of 8 hours.
I would really research the sleep problems before resorting to drugs. It's almost like putting a band-aid on the problem, instead of fixing it. Ya know?
I would try herbal teas and such before resorting to Ambien - kinda exhausting "natural" aids before going right to chemical ones. Plus, I would be afraid of getting dependent on it.... but that's just me.
I would try herbal teas and such before resorting to Ambien - kinda exhausting "natural" aids before going right to chemical ones. Plus, I would be afraid of getting dependent on it.... but that's just me.
Puddles
New member
My insomnia was broken down and I've been sleeping better. The infection I had post-op came back again, the fever and tiredness that goes along with it has helped me sleep. I've also had diverticulitis problems for the past week off and on, bad for the last 3 days and the meds for that knock me on my butt...I could probably sleep 15 hrs a day on them. Today is the first day I'm managing without them and I could still sleep but I'm way behind in too many things...maybe just a little nap?
I've tried vallerian root in capsule form, never as a tea...is there a difference?
If I do wind up using a prescript. med. for insomnia, it'll be used only for brief periods at a time.
I haven't done the video tape yet, Sassy...but I will.
I've tried vallerian root in capsule form, never as a tea...is there a difference?
If I do wind up using a prescript. med. for insomnia, it'll be used only for brief periods at a time.
I haven't done the video tape yet, Sassy...but I will.
toga22
SideShow Freak
This is one of my least favorite questions that people can ask or for that matter answer...
The reason I say this is because, just the same as calorie intake needed for a person, the amount of sleep one person needs to function properly and grow is going to vary from one individual to another,
I truly believe that the "8 hour rule" is an average.. Some people NEED 10+ hours a day. While others only NEED 4. Thus the 8 hours.
If a person can sleep 4 hours a night, and feel rested and productive in all of their aspects of life throughout the day. They are meeting their bodies needs.
Listen to your body...it will let you know if you aren't getting enough...or too much sleep.
The reason I say this is because, just the same as calorie intake needed for a person, the amount of sleep one person needs to function properly and grow is going to vary from one individual to another,
I truly believe that the "8 hour rule" is an average.. Some people NEED 10+ hours a day. While others only NEED 4. Thus the 8 hours.
If a person can sleep 4 hours a night, and feel rested and productive in all of their aspects of life throughout the day. They are meeting their bodies needs.
Listen to your body...it will let you know if you aren't getting enough...or too much sleep.
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