Trouble sleeping

dms · #1 05-09-2007, 07:47 AM

So this past month I've eaten 5,000 or more calories each day and since I started eating this much, I don't think I've had one good night's sleep. Sort of annoying.

Obviously I'm trying to gain weight. That is working. I'm eating 50% carbs, 25% protein, and 25% fat. I try to have more carbs earlier in the day and more protein closer to bed time.

I haven't been doing much cardio. But even the times that I have and I feel more tired at the end of the day because of it, I still fall asleep for a short time (1-4 hours or something) and then wake up and can't get back to sleep.

I've tried finding advice online, but a lot of it says don't drink caffiene (which I don't at all) and don't eat before you go to bed (I do this, but I don't want to change it since I'm trying to add mass).

I've also stopped drinking milk aside from an ounce or two on oatmeal in the morning. I used to frequently have milk before I went to bed. I think I was having trouble sleeping before I cut milk down though.

Does anyone have any knowledge that could help me here? I don't consider sleeping pills a solution...

Grey · #2 05-09-2007, 07:50 AM

Sleeping pills will only hurt your sleep habits in the long run so good choice.

I don't have any advice except to stay on exactly the same daily sleep schedule- even on weekends, but you probably already know that.

I recently took a course on behavioral neurobiology. Teach your body when to sleep and when to wake up (and be strict about it) and eventually you'll drop to sleep like a rock at exactly the right time, and be able to wake up full awake at exactly the right time with no alarm.

mattnxtc · #3 05-09-2007, 08:22 AM

Has your sleeping schedule changed any? When I went from college to the real world I took some pills for like a month or so to help my body adjust and havent taken any since.

maniacut · #4 05-09-2007, 12:42 PM

Grey,
I agree that OP needs to teach his body when to sleep and when to wake up and be very strict about it. Don't eat anything at least one hour before bed. Try to only lay in your bed when it is time to sleep. Keep the room as dark and quiet as possible, I've gone so far as to cover the lights off of some of my electronics in order to get the room as dark as can be.

thirddan · #5 05-09-2007, 12:56 PM

http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=459864

http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=460443

theblackkeys · #6 05-09-2007, 10:03 PM

try melatonin?

dms · #7 05-10-2007, 12:33 AM

Sleep schedule hasn't really changed. It does fluctuate more than it should since I don't have a job or anything to get up for in the morning.

dms · #8 05-10-2007, 12:34 AM

[ QUOTE ]
try melatonin?

[/ QUOTE ]

Have you had success with melatonin? I haven't tried it before.

theblackkeys · #9 05-10-2007, 03:13 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
try melatonin?

[/ QUOTE ]

Have you had success with melatonin? I haven't tried it before.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes. It helps me fall asleep without making me feel drugged up like tylenol pm does.

However, my sleep schedule still sucks, so I attribute a lot of that to bad habits.

Subfallen · #10 05-10-2007, 08:29 AM

I've read that you shouldn't watch TV or use a computer for 2 hours before bedtime. The times I've done that sleeping has definitely been easier.