Getting To Sleep Easier?

[Robertrogo]

I was wondering if anybody had any tips on a way to get to sleep easier at night?

For the past few years I have had extreme trouble trying to get to sleep, for once being that I have too much on my mind from day to day and that at times I do stay up late watching TV, but this staying up late allows me to get tired easier and fall asleep. The one thing that I do suffer from (and I know this sounds silly) but each night before I go to bed I think about dying (which I know sounds ridiculous but after 10 years of suffering from family deaths, it sticks with you each and every night), so when I lay down it takes time before I can finally close my eyes and get to sleep.

I was hoping that any of our JEFIT Members might have tips to help get to sleep easier and faster at night or tips even for better sleep?

[mrwright]

I have the same problems, even if say i stay up all night tonight, the night after when i try go sleep ill still struggle to get sleep until about 3 AM
in the morning i can go to sleep perfectly

[Deviation]

Benadryl. It works well for making you sleepy and it's non-addictive.

You can also check out Deep Sleep on the Android Market: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.hivebrain.andrewjohnson.deepsleep&feature=search_result

I use that from time to time. There's a free version you can test out as well: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.hivebrain.andrewjohnson.relaxlite

Also, watch your caffeine intake. Certain foods late in the day can cause issues as well.

[jghight]

Caffeine intake and possibly overtraining.

[Deviation]

Overtraining is one that's often over looked. I didn't mention it because Robert was saying earlier (in another thread) that he was slacking. :p

[Robertrogo]

Overtraining is one that's often over looked. I didn't mention it because Robert was saying earlier (in another thread) that he was slacking. :p

Haha yeah I have been slacking a bit which is probably why I am tired as well, usually when I get home, especially the past week and a half, I have to take my dog out for a 30 minute walk, then come in and feed her, then my girlfriend gets home from work and by then its almost 6:15 or 6:30 or so. She then gets hungry and wants to make dinner which then it pretty much ruins my chances of going to the gym because I usually cook dinner as well so its like damn.... then after I eat its probably 7:30 or 8 and full belly. Watch TV, play Xbox with cousins and do some JEFIT stuff then get to bed around 2am haha.

Past week and a half has been like this and mehh just want to get back into that gym and going to tonight and all of this weekend/next week especially with my girlfriend's sister now moving up to NC.

I haven't had much caffeine though which confuses me because I used to drink 4-5 cups a day in college now, barely any but Assault has some caffeine but not enough to keep me up as it has been

[Faeling]

The one thing that I do suffer from (and I know this sounds silly) but each night before I go to bed I think about dying (which I know sounds ridiculous but after 10 years of suffering from family deaths, it sticks with you each and every night), so when I lay down it takes time before I can finally close my eyes and get to sleep.

That sounds a little bit like me, I have trouble sleeping because If I ain't really tired when I go to bed, I can't sleep because I start to think about issues and things left undone etc. and get all wound up about them = not restful. I went to the doctor, but it ended up not helping me all that much (she said I should try to relax, be less stressed). Throuh experimenting I've found that what works best for me is not allow myself to think when I go to bed XD Tried tv and audiobooks which worked but took too long time so I've started to listen to non-fiction audiobooks and relaxation tapes. Gives me a distraction from my own thoughts without being interesting enough for me to stay awake (and without the light stimulation from the tv).

Then again, your problem could also be something like not training enough/caffeine or sugar before bed/computing, gaming, etc. before bed/too much or too little sun/too much light in the room before going to bed or one oof a million other reason people have for not being able to sleep.

[martincoco]

MX 5-HTP intake and try the traditional way putting lavender scent on your pillow :eek:

[Deviation]

Lavender is relaxing. Chamomile tea is another natural way. It's herbal with no caffeine.

[Robertrogo]

I used to drink Chamomile tea everyone once in a while and it did help me get to sleep easier, I used to drink some of those relaxing teas around 2 years ago and that helped but then I woke up at like 4am and had to pee haha.

I would do lavender but would be awkward since my girlfriend would look at me like a weirdo having lavender on my pillow being a man haha.

One thing for myself that does tend to work is warm milk haha, don't know why but it does.

Lately I have been drinking more coffee than usual and I know that isn't helping in any way...think im addicted to caffeine though

[Deviation]

Yeah caffeine will do it. I drink coffee, but maybe one cup in the morning. I used to drink coffee throughout the day, but it eventually caught up with me. Today I haven't had a single sip...which i literally just realized. I did however have a Monster Rehab at lunch.

Don't go cold turkey on it, but try to reduce it some. At least cut off by noon and give you body plenty of water.

[Robertrogo]

YI drink coffee, but maybe one cup in the morning. I used to drink coffee throughout the day, but it eventually caught up with me. Today I haven't had a single sip...which i literally just realized. I did however have a Monster Rehab at lunch.

Don't go cold turkey on it, but try to reduce it some. At least cut off by noon and give you body plenty of water.

That is the thing I usually drink it throughout the day and then by 10pm I get extremely exhausted and then almost fall asleep or at times I am wide awake...confusing to say the least haha.

In college I used to drink 4 cups in the morning and then 1 extra large Starbucks at my campus (which only cost 1$ haha) and I could stay up till 2-3am without any problem at all...now I come home and feel like crap and want to pass out and can't figure out why

I tried going cold turkey which worked for a bit, no withdrawls or anything but came right back to it about 3-4 weeks later haha, can't give it up, there is just something about coffee that is incredible and I love that alert feeling

[Deviation]

Once you cut back, you'll adapt. I still grab an energy drink every now & then. But I find the less caffeine I intake regularly the less of the tired feeling I have. But being in I.T. myself, I fully get the need for caffeine.

It takes time to get out of that though. I say no cold turkey mostly because you're likely to get headaches and become cranky. Talking from experience. The plus side to reduced caffeine is increased sensitivity to it. Always a bonus when you're really tired.

[Robertrogo]

Haha thats true, I always look forward to that increase in sensitivity as I become to adapt to the caffeine and then it has no effect on me which is a bummer and at times a waste of money.

I like energy drinks but for some reason 5 hour energy really does nothing for me at all and I try to stay clear of the high carb, calorie and sugary energy drinks like Amp and such.

[Deviation]

I like energy drinks but for some reason 5 hour energy really does nothing for me at all and I try to stay clear of the high carb, calorie and sugary energy drinks like Amp and such.

5 Hour Energy is a waste. Monster has Absolutely Zero now which is tasty and lightweight. Rockstar has a zero carb version as well. And of course there's Red Bull sugar free.

I never buy the fully leaded versions. WAY too sweet for me. Not mention carb loaded.

[utefaninutah]

I used to have trouble too. Two things that helped for me 1) Very, very limited caffiene (I used to drink a pot of coffee every morning, now I just have my preworkouts on lifting days and maybe a soda or two a month), and 2) I turned off my TV before I got ready for bed, it just distracts your brain so you get less REM.

And honestly this might sound bad ha, but if I ever have a night where I just can't seem to fall asleep, I take a shot or two of whiskey. I don't pass out or anything, but it helps and doesn't make me feel groggy like NyQuil and other medicines do when I wake up.

[Robertrogo]

Hahahah that is a champions choice and looking into trying that, I used to have Disaronno when I got home from work at JEFIT and then 1 before I went to bed and slept like a baby.

Now I wake up, cup of coffee, then make a pot, bring 3 cups with me to work with 2 left over at home, get home and go to the gym and take Assault, come back feel a bit tired so microwave up a cup to keep me awake, 11pm rolls around and Xbox360 time with cousins so I drink another cup to keep me alert and awake to play haha.

Right now though I am at work and going cold turkey and no too bad actually, feeling awake but the first 1-2 hours were BRUTAL! haha

[utefaninutah]

Haha for sure, took a little while to be able to make it through the day without falling asleep at my desk.

[Robertrogo]

Yeah I am going to be taking a 6 hour nap when i get home, it's official haha

[Robertrogo]

How I felt like when I was drinking my coffee

http://i.imgur.com/9JImn.gif

[mrwright]

Ive never had coffee in my life or tea an occasional can of energy drink say like one a week if that stimulants just seem to do nothing for me i jus tend to stay in a midway state to much energy to sleep but not enough to do anything else throughout the day
then come between 1 and 4 in the morning i get stupidly alert and energetic ( much like now haha)
i can even stay awake all night and be fine then the night after still struggle to sleep until 3 in the morning
im tempted to try some coffee now see if its as good as you all say haha!

[Deviation]

How I felt like when I was drinking my coffee

http://i.imgur.com/9JImn.gif

LOL Maybe time to cut back some.

[utefaninutah]

Had to hit the coffee hard today, workout, up till 3am, up at 7am for work, and hitting the gym after. Yeah gonna be a bad day... already out of grounds at 10:51am haha.

[Robertrogo]

Had to hit the coffee hard today, workout, up till 3am, up at 7am for work, and hitting the gym after. Yeah gonna be a bad day... already out of grounds at 10:51am haha.

Oh snap dude....that is going to be rough no doubt about it ahah, when you are out of grounds at 10:51 AM none the less, you know your day is going to be LONG!

That is where you make pitstops at Dunkin Donuts for an XL Coffee for 2$ or so.

I actually haven't had coffee since last week so holding out strong, actually staying up later and don't feel so tired in the morning which is a nice bit of a change from feeling like garbage waking up and struggling to make it through the wake up process haha, then feeling exhausted at 10 when I want to play 360 or whatever.

coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee

[Robertrogo]

LOL Maybe time to cut back some.

Hahahah well take away the cigarettes (since I don't smoke) and place 2 computers and an Iphone and Android in front of me and thats how I would have looked, shaking like crazy going for my next cup haha

[Robertrogo]

Actually gave in these past 3 days and had some coffee, but only 1 1/2 cups worth so trying to cut back, just still hating being tired around 11pm because I LOVE staying up til 3am and waking up around 6 or 7, I don't know why but really want to get back to that moment

[Deviation]

Just don't drink it late in the day. A lil caffeine in the morning doesn't hurt.

[Robertrogo]

Yeah actually was able to stay up till 2am last night so that wasn't bad and felt energized waking up this morning at 6:30 so 1 1/2 cups of coffee was actually good for the soul haha

[jackalan996]

proper sleep is must for brain.
sleep refresh the brain and reduce the tiredness of the body.
sleep is necessary for healthy grow up for the body.
in sleep motion whole body is relax.

Weight Loss San Diego (http://www.getfitsandiego.com/san-diego-weight-loss.html)

[Chee.Bizzle]

The best thing I have found is ZMA. I used to take sleeping pills because I would be tired, but just staring at my ceiling for about 7 hours. Several companies make ZMA, but I recommend going to Wal-Mart and buying them separately. Zinc, Magnesium, Vit B-6. Some Magnesium already has the "chelated" zinc in it. I would take it about an hour before bed. If you like cottage cheese at night for the casein protein, avoid taking them simultaneously as magnesium competes with calcium for absorption. Take your ZMA an hour before bed, and cottage cheese immediately before. It will give you crazy dreams, as it puts you in REM sleep longer. If you aren't used to this, you may wake up looking for your new Jordan's, until you realize it was just a dream.

[jshilko]

+1 for ZMA

[Deviation]

If you aren't used to this, you may wake up looking for your new Jordan's, until you realize it was just a dream.
LMAO! Just for that comment, I'm going to try this out.