I think I'm tired

[cjsmith]

This morning I am clumsy and forgetful. It's truly impressive!

Twice, doing jumps during my gym workout, I tripped over the extra-long toes of my shoes. Yes, the shoes are way too long for my feet, but that has been the case since I was twelve; I shouldn't have trouble with it. Doing dips, I didn't look for the position of the movable pull-up bar, and I thwacked my head on it (loudly but with no pain). The crowning moment was when I came out of the gym and found my car in the parking lot with its door wide open. I had left it that way for over an hour.

I think the increased workouts and the stress-induced sleep deprivation are taking their toll.

Now that I'm thinking about this, I see hints that it was coming on earlier. On Sunday I drove two miles with my trunk unlatched (granted, that can't be seen from inside the car, as the lid tends to stay closed). My typing is less swift and less precise.

I wonder if I could counteract some of this by eating better -- maybe I need extra vitamins or protein?

Comments

[wcg.livejournal.com]

Protien will help you to be more wakeful, but you really do need to sleep too. I understand that you don't want to be clumsy and awkward and forgetful, and sure, protien and a good vitamin regimen can help that a little. But sleep really is key here. If I were having your sleeplessness, I'd try a half ounce of brandy before bed. Not too much, or the alcohol will make you more restless. Just enough to relax you into sleep.

If you're not into liquors, a half glass of red wine would work too. (Or heck, white wine for that matter, but the red has other health benefits.)

[anisoptera.livejournal.com]

I have one more to add to Bill's suggestions. A glass of beer that has a lot of hops in it. Hops are spoporific (makes one sleepy). But you have to like beer for this to work. ;)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I agree that the real solution is sleep. I haven't done well at fixing that. A glass of wine helped Tuesday night, but I hesitate to get dependent on alcohol.

Another option, of course, is a vacation. I get one in a month. :)

[cassidyrose.livejournal.com]

Yes, sleep is the key here.

If I am really sleep deprived I get forgetful and clumsy as well, and do things like leave my keys in the front door, etc.

WRT alcohol, I find that while it may put me to sleep at first, I sometimes end up waking up later from it. Melatonin is your friend.

Also, if stress is the issue, try a warm bath right before bed.

[just-cyd.livejournal.com]

melatonin did wonders for me when i first went on nights. i slept so soundly, and steadily (no waking up). maybe give that a spin if you'd rather avoid the alcohol.

Warm milk and/or a bubble bath and/or a massage would be helpful, too.

of course, applying repeatedly and with force a blunt object to the source of your stressor(s) would have benefits as well!!

[dawnd.livejournal.com]

Sleep, dear. You just need sleep. Thus sayeth I, who just woke up from a 4-or-so hour NAP. I'm still stunned that I slept that long on top of the 6 or so that I got last night. I suspect I'll feel a lot better in the coming days.

Regarding how to GET said sleep, I agree with the melatonin suggestion as one possibility. I'll add 5HTP: That's a serotonin precursor, as well as making you sleepy on its own. It's a bit more gentle than taking melatonin directly. But it has the added advantage of upping your serotonin and making you just generally feel better as well. Take 1 to 2 50mg capsules at night right before bed, along with whatever other vitamins you're doing. You ARE taking a multivitamin, RIGHT? Probably with IRON?

And I also agree with more protein, but it won't substitute for sleep. Change your protein to carb balance in favor of protein and see if it helps. I've been doing a low(er)-carb thing for almost a year, so I can suggest some places to cut out carbs if you want ideas.

And get to bed earlier. If you use the melatonin to put yourself to sleep, and then you wake up really early from the stress, you'll feel even groggier. I heard one recommendation not to take melatonin after midnight. That of course depends on what time you'll be getting out of bed. But I find that for me, taking it past 1am makes me groggy the next morning, and not able to get out of bed before about 9. For me, the worst time of waking up from stress has been the early morning hours. So if I can get to sleep earlier, then I'll get more sleep before that wakes me up.

*hugs*