I'm referring to the sizeable acquisition that now is my derrière. Haven't I been told for decades that not getting enough sleep contributes to unwanted weight gain? Intuitively, this doesn't seem right to me. If I'm awake, aren't I more active, and if I'm more active, doesn't that burn more calories? Well, my excessive weight gain really does connect back to my early 40's when I started to have sleep issues. This only got worse in my 50's and the last five years my weight has gotten out of control. So in my case there does seem to be a correlation between poor sleep and weight gain.
I shouldn't let my experience do the talking though. The Mayo Clinic, just a hop, skip, and a jump from me, has done research on this topic. Is too little sleep a cause of weight gain...it might be discusses the link to poor sleep and and inactive metabolism. I had started the sleep clinic testing prior to Covid and was all set to get fitted for a mouth guard type device to help with the mild sleep apnea. All things came to a halt and I've unsuccessfully been able to get back into the cue for the service. Likely I'll need to start over with a new referral, new test, and new wait.
So for now, I'm trying to improve my sleep quality with things I can do myself. While I was isolating, I slept in our extra bedroom-the one that originally was DD1's then became DD2's, and then when she moved into her brothers former bigger bedroom, the spare room. I have to admit, I've not slept better in years! Maybe it was Covid, or maybe it was that it is a cooler room, and I can move and stretch as I please. It's so very unromantic, and I don't dislike my husband, but I find not sleeping in the same bed helped tremendously. I run so hot-he runs cold. Our bedroom is where all the heat in the house ends up and the combination has me waking up sweating. Here's a few others:
- I continue to take a melatonin, but mistakenly bought only a 1 mg dose. I'm using them, but will replace with the 5 mg again, as was prescribed.
- I also try and do nothing more than sip anything to drink within a few hours of going to bed. One night I counted myself waking up five times to use the bathroom. No one will get good sleep waking up that frequently.
- Taking a hot shower (or when summer approaches a cool one) to wind down in the evening
- I'm actually putting myself to bed at a reasonable hour. No more falling asleep with the television on, but trying hard to go to bed at a time that will hopefully let me get at least six good hours in a row.
Thank you all for the fun comments yesterday. Wow, who knew talking hobbies, crafts, and art would be such a good conversation starter! Please keep coming back as it's awful fun to read and read comments between you all.
Have you tried the sleepy time tea? I wonder if that would help. I have sleep apnea too and sleep with a cpap. It does help me fall into a deeper sleep, which helps me feel more rested during the day.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, perhaps but then I'd be drinking a warm beverage closer to trying to go to sleep. I'm trying to avoid CPAP.
DeleteRE sleep mouthpiece: My hubster used SleepRX for several years. His snoring stopped (meaning I could get some sleep), and he realized his sleep was poor. He decided to give it a go without and he has sustained a no-snore about 95% of the time and continues to feel rested. Could save you a fortune! Each mouthpiece lasted about 6 months.
ReplyDeletehttps://getsleeprx.com/
That sounds like the device I was going to be fired for. I suppose I could try this version. Thank you.
DeleteRomantic or not, I'm a big believer in separate beds. I find there's some confusion in my hunger/tired receptors. I often experience "hunger" at the end of the day when what I really am is tired. When I head to the fridge, I have to tell myself - you're tired, not hungry; go to bed! I experienced better sleep last spring when I went off my "see food" diet. It's time for that again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good connection you realized. Yes, I've bored eaten when I should just go to bed.
DeleteWith lupus, sleep is probably the biggest component of staying healthy, so it's my top priority. I take Tylenol before bed, as I have chronic back pain that interferes with my sleep. I often take one Tylenol PM as well (okay'd by my doctor), to help with the back pain.
ReplyDeleteWhat works for me:
-No drinking liquids before bed
-Consistent routine
-Minimizing tech before bed, and reading instead for 15 minutes or so
-Meditating during the day (helps me keep my mind more at ease)
-Biggest change lately - wearing ear plugs! I have excellent hearing & am a light sleeper anyway, so this was a game changer. My sister talked me into it, and I sleep significantly better with the ear plugs.
Good list and those I don't do, I'll try. I don't hear well, words, but some sounds are impossible for me to sleep through or fall back to sleep. Beeps, snoring, crying, drips, loud phone talking...
Deletenot that I don't get much sleep (one of my favorite things, LOL) but sleeping alone would be the icing on the cake, haha. My dh often snores and he is the one who has to get up numerous times a night to pee.
ReplyDeleteBoth of us get up. If I'm asleep first it's not so bad, but I can't fall back to sleep with his snoring.
DeleteI can't imagine how terrible not sleeping is. I could sleep 10-12 hours when it's dark and cold during the winter. Spring and summer I sleep at least 8. I hope you can find something that works. Sleep is so important.
ReplyDeleteSince I can't nap during the day, I just really drag by 3:00. I am envious.
DeleteSince I've started to wear a FitBit I've often been surprised by the amount, or lack of, sleep that I get each night.
ReplyDeleteI've definitely learned not to drink much in the couple of hours before bedtime. No screen time either for at least an hour before bed. No partner in bed so that's not an issue for me, but I do have a cat who insists on waking me between 5 and 6 each morning for breakfast. I put a pillow over my head and he usually leaves me alone for an extra half hour. :p
Good luck with your sleep situation.
I'm going to try a pillow over my head! My cat wakes me between 3 and 4 most mornings. Celie
DeleteAs my dog has gotten older, he gladly sleeps in. I've heard cats are not a person's sleep friend.
DeleteJon's always been a terrible insomniac but he swears the wool duvet and pillow have given him the best night's sleep he's had in years. xxx
ReplyDeleteIs it warm though? I need practically no covers until dawn when finally my body cools down.
DeleteI do get up once a night many nights to per but not three or four. If I'm thirst I di what my body tells me to and drink. I so put my phine upside down on my nightstand, and leave all tech including kindle and TV out of my bedroom. I color I knit or I journal if I can't sleep. I use it sleep gummies and I drink milk. I also have a sleep music playlest next to my bed on my echo dot and I tell her to play half an hour. Obviously I can sleep as late as I want. Some days are better than others.
ReplyDeleteI might try the sleep music to a timer. I'm getting good ideas here.
DeleteShut down all electronics whether it be TV, laptop, tablet, cellphone etc. at least 1 hour before you hope to go to bed. Also, try reading (real book) before going to bed. It took me a while to realize a part of my problem was the electronics. Reading an actual book works really well also. Good luck. At least you have a few things you can try before deciding to go back to the doctor. Ranee (MN)
ReplyDeleteI've been battling this for nearly 15 years, and try multiple things. I thought I was in to something before Covid.
Deletegood for you for making better sleep a priority
ReplyDeleteYes it helps with weight loss and immune and just about everything else.
It has to be as my body ages. I've been reading your posts but WordPress has been difficult making me resign in and then kicking me out.
DeleteAs a long-time RLS sufferer, I envy those who can get a decent night of sleep. Have you ever tried sleep music? It often worked for the kiddo I used to care for. In fact, there were times I'd find myself nodding off a bit while rocking him! Lol
ReplyDeleteI am adding sleep music to a timer. Though it's not falling asleep, it's staying asleep, then not being able to get back to sleep as the problem.
DeleteWith my husband working nights, I am well aware of how sleeping alone is a game changer lol. I tend to have a sleep aversion, as in that the quiet time after hubby goes to work and the kids are in bed I thoroughly enjoy having all to myself. I seem to find a second wind at 10:00. I’m trying to train myself to not watch the west coast sports, or a tv show or a ton of tiktoks but instead to use that time to straighten up, pack my lunch, fill my water bottles, skincare, etc. still very much things for ME and keeping it my time while getting to bed around 11:00. That puts me at about 7 hours sleep. It’s a plan though, and I’m not always consistent. I do thoroughly enjoy a nap too whenever I can. I’ve probably been sleep deprived most of my life. I don’t know that I’ll ever really catch up. JoAnn
ReplyDeleteNaps would be great, but not practical week days. I envy those that get good sleep. 7 hours seems a dream.
DeleteI too have had severe sleep issues, and I usually sleep in the spare room. I just sleep better. SO does hubs when he sleeps alone. I do sleep with him, if he is ill with something I am not afraid to catch, like a cold, but not when he is barfy. I draw the line there.
ReplyDeleteWhen he's not well, I run! I don't want his colds either.
DeleteI've always been a poor sleeper & peri-menopause really exacerbated it. Now that I'm past that stage its improved and now that work is not on my mind I'm finally sleeping 7-8 hours. Melatonin was really helpful when it was bad and the other thing that helps is linen sheets - they stop you overheating.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anything will stop me over heating. This has been 15 years of poor sleep. The last five the worst.
DeleteI've always suffered with insomnia - also overweight, so perhaps the two are indeed connected (I've read they are). Now I'm finally getting past the night sweats, I do sleep a bit better.
ReplyDeleteI just run so hot at ight, so I am hoping a change in body temp will help me as well.
DeleteSam, I agree with you - I get better sleep when I sleep in the front bedroom bed ALONE! I always say it's because I didn't marry until I was 36, so I'm just more used to sleeping alone. So after getting married, about 6-7 years in, I developed back issues, that kept me up & from sleeping well. I moved into the front bedroom so as not disturb the hubby. We both agreed we sleep better apart, so have continued sleeping in separate beds. We both head to bed at the same time (usually) in master bedroom, we read for an hour or so, then I bail out to the front bedroom (or whenever I get tired) - if he wants to continue to read, he can, or if he wants to sleep & I want to keep reading, I can. It just works for us & we think we are both happier people when we get our sleep! :-) Although the older I get, the worse I've been sleeping - due to a number of "issues" - sore hip, sore neck, hot flashes, peeing 5 times a night, etc. So every few nights I may take a shot of Z-Quil for a good, full night. Thankfully we are retired, so not a big deal if I want to sleep later in the morning. Here's wishing you all a good night's rest tonight! :-)
ReplyDeleteI believe we will get along better as we age and spend more hours in the house if we are both better rested.
DeleteOf course I'm divorced but I agree, there's nothing better than sleeping alone. It's so restful (for both of you). But talking of counting sheep, have you ever seen the Mr. Bean gag where he's counting sheep trying to get to sleep? It's so silly!
ReplyDeleteI have not seen that Mr Bean. I can imagine how silly it is.
Delete