Running and poor sleeping

[Bazza1234]

As I age, I am becoming a poor sleeper - not an uncommon thing. However just lately , it seems to be getting worse.

Yesterday, I had a tough ( for me) Parkrun - got a PB. I had already had a poor night before that -- so what with the run and a couple of glasses of red wine with dinner, I felt like I would sleep like a baby. BUT -- lay there with eyes wide open for two hours , and then when I finally fell asleep, only stayed asleep for 3 hours before I woke again - and couldn't go back to sleep.

Anyway - long sob story -- but am wondering if any others are experiencing anything like this. Is it the physical stimulation/adrenalin of the running or something like that???

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Oh dear...is the brain whirring? I would suggest Bach remedy night time tablets...worked a treat for me when I was having difficultie in life. I have to admit now I never sleep well, but the running somehow revives me!!!

[Hidden]

Hi. I had a bad run of sleepless nights a few weeks ago, partly due to illness, but often have trouble sleeping. For me, this is very much linked to stress. I find cutting out stimulants like caffeine and sugar help me, and I make sure I run early in the day. I don't drink but my OH finds that cutting out alcohol helps him if he is having problems. I'd also suggest that you don't eat in the 2-3 hours before you go to bed, or make sure you only eat a light meal, as digestion can interfere with sleep. Counterintuitively, a gentle walk may help: I find it helps me clear my mind of stresses.

[Beyond Graduate]

Hi. New to the forums here. I think the lack of sleep is strongly related to your diet. I am sure you must be cautious about your food intake but cutting down caffeine and processed food does help me with a better quality of sleep (I have always been a light sleeper). Try this and may be it will work. Good luck

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

Yes -- than you all. I have today started on my "cut down on coffee" diet. I am not sure that I am drinking any more coffee than normal - but perhaps I am.

[Hidden]

The best thing that ever happened to me with respect to sleep was going freelance and thus being able to give up relying on an alarm clock most days. Unless a specific event prevents me from doing so, I now go to bed when I am tired and get up when I wake up. Most days, I stay up until 2-3 am but last night I went to bed at 10 pm! I usually wake up at about 10 am, occasionally a bit earlier or later. I fall asleep almost immediately and sleep right through until I get up. I can have proper coffee straight before going to bed, and it makes no difference whatsoever to my sleep.

When I was forced to keep to the timetables of other people, I would often lie awake half the night. Now also, if I do need to use my alarm clock, I tend to sleep less well.

[OldNed Graduate]

My wife was a poor sleeper all her life (she's now 64, so lots of poor sleeping behind her ), with lots of "whirring brain" preventing sleep. Two years ago she cut out caffeine - so she now has decaff coffee and decaff tea. The problem solved itself - literally overnight. It was that quick. She still has an occasional bad night but the whirring brain has gone completely. Her brother had exactly the same experience so it may be worth, if you haven't already, thinking about going caffeine-free.

[luvoftheoutdoors]

I'm a mature HNC student browsing for my research project and came across your message whilst reading links from 'change for life'. Not sure if anyone has been able to reply but I really feel for you and can empathise since I have had this problem in the past - I found it was because I lacked routine and focus, even when I was jogging daily. When I ran first thing in the morning it helped me sleep better at night. Recently I've been advised not to participate in activities involving screens - iPads, mobile phones or computer screens. Not sure of the true affects of red wine from the top of my head other than it may help with circulatory problems, but it does increase your heart rate. I drink far too much caffeine before going to bed but if my mind is relaxed enough it doesn't normally affect. I hope your sleeping pattern is improving - whoops silly me have just seen u have 7 replies - just new to the forum so I beg your pardon. Bye for now and sweet dreams

[carole01 Graduate]

Hi Bazza, sleep deprivation is awful and was once used as a torture technique. I use meditation it could help, there are lots of sites out there to get started this may be of use: abc-of-meditation.com/healt... Good luck!