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Optimizing Sleep

Discussion in 'Tilted Life and Sexuality' started by genuinemommy, Aug 12, 2014.

Page 2 of 2
  1. Shadowex3

    Shadowex3 Very Tilted

    It also varies also by age, profession and hobbies. Musicians or students, coders, and active athletes can all need easily up to 10 hours of sleep due to how hard they work their body or mind and of course kids/teenagers need much more sleep than adults. It's not unusual for me to finish pounding out some N-thousand word term paper and then go collapse for 8-10 hours that night feeling exhausted.
     
    Shadowex3, Aug 14, 2014
    #21
    • Like Like x 1
  2. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    Nope, I find that I'm waking up before 7 with only 6.5 hours even on days where I'm not obligated,
    or even on large timeframes that I have no reason to wake early...like long vacations or projects where I work remote and discretionary hours.

    Now, this does not say that I "leap" out of bed...or don't need coffee...or some days that I just feel like a lump of oatmeal for no good reason. (ex. sick)
    This is random...and mostly according to my stress and mental well-being at the time.

    If I'm "good" then I wake feeling like I need no kick in the pants.
    If I'm "bad" then I feel like I need coffee and some time to get myself going.

    Length of sleep or quality of sleep is irrelevant here.
    It's an interesting dynamic now that I'm making myself aware of it and self-analyzing.
     
    rogue49, Aug 14, 2014
    #22
    • Like Like x 1
  3. snowy

    snowy so kawaii Staff Member

    Well, yeah, I wake up early naturally too, even on days I'm not supposed to. Part of that is because I've trained myself to not need an alarm clock. I'll only oversleep my natural wakeup time if there is a noticeable debt in my sleep bank.

    It's only been a week and I'm already waking up at 5:15 without an alarm. I'm going to be so set for the school year.
    --- merged: Aug 14, 2014 at 12:19 PM ---
    Seriously. When I go back to work in a month, I know I'll probably need more sleep than what I'm getting right now.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 21, 2014
    snowy, Aug 14, 2014
    #23
    • Like Like x 1
  4. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    Actually, I've found that since my mid-30's I've woken at 7 or earlier without an alarm...even if I went to sleep late.
    And that's without any training.

    I used to sleep like a log...easily past 10 until 12...needing a heavy alarm (hell, I even had to put it across the room so I wouldn't "sleep-slam" it quiet)
    Then all of a sudden...around 35...I started waking 7 without an alarm.
    It was surreal.

    Now these days, I wake up even earlier...even if I go to bed at 1 or so.
    Even if I go to sleep at 4, latest I'll wake is 7:30
    Doesn't mean I'll be pretty...but I'll be up.

    They say this is not unusual as you get older. (less sleep, but an earlier shift...bed at 9-10, waking at 5-6)
    Sure, some train themselves to do it...for work and other obligations, like kids.
    But it's different when you do it naturally.

    Thank god I have the DVR so I can see my late night shows without having to stay up.
    I watch them in the morn instead, while I'm eating breakfast. (if I'm not running out the door)
     
    rogue49, Aug 14, 2014
    #24
    • Like Like x 1
  5. snowy

    snowy so kawaii Staff Member

    I took melatonin for the first time last night. I also started magnesium supplements.

    I slept like a baby. I don't know if it's because I was already tired or because of the supplements. Time will tell. One data point isn't really significant, but it does make me hopeful.
     
    snowy, Oct 16, 2014
    #25
    • Like Like x 3
  6. AlterMoose

    AlterMoose Slightly Tilted

    Location:
    Pangaea
    Melatonin good. That and a couple of drops of lavender oil in the humidifier chamber of my cpap machine are more or less the only two reasons I get any restful sleep.
     
    AlterMoose, Oct 16, 2014
    #26
    • Like Like x 1
  7. genuinemommy

    genuinemommy Moderator Staff Member

    I sleep really poorly when Tt is out of town on business, and he's been traveling a lot recently. I found that if I put a couple of drops of his cologne on my pillow, I can fall back to sleep quickly and get a better night's sleep.

    My daughter has been doing so well the past week with her sleep! But last night she kept suddenly screaming without waking up. I hope these night terrors don't continue. I'm so ready for a full night's sleep again.
     
    genuinemommy, Oct 17, 2014
    #27
  8. Japchae

    Japchae Very Tilted

    I take 1mg of sublingual melatonin when I have trouble falling asleep. Otherwise, the rest of the time, I have secondary and tertiary insomnia. So I am a terrible example.
     
    Japchae, Oct 17, 2014
    #28
  9. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    I do several things to make sure I get a good sleep.
    • Fresh sheets and pillows
    • Blankets that won't entangle me (if I'm entangled...I toss & turn even more)
    • ALL lights off, all TV and such off
    • Cell phone is now not my alarm clock...but I've got a formal one (cell phone buzzes thru night for emails and such)
    • Allergy meds (both 24-hr pill and nasal (Zyrtec & Nasacort)
    • Breathing strips (extra-strong, I've got a big snoz)
    • Try for bed at decent time (between 10 or 11)
    It's made a difference...now I don't feel exhausted all the time.
     
    rogue49, Oct 17, 2014
    #29
  10. Shadowex3

    Shadowex3 Very Tilted

    I've finally found something that helps some with sleeping: Sonata. I still wake up too much but at least I'm more functionally rested during the day again.
     
    Shadowex3, Oct 17, 2014
    #30
  11. omega

    omega Very Tilted

    Getting a king sized bed with a good frame has definitely helped. I don't feel her turn over now. Plus it's so flat and not shaped around us. My sleep has definitely improved. Still inconsistent because of my work schedule.
     
    omega, Oct 18, 2014
    #31
  12. Herculite

    Herculite Very Tilted

    I used to be a 4-5 hour sleeper a night kinda guy. I'd be up till 2am often playing whatever MMO was my thing at the time, and then be up for work by 6am. This wasn't great. I was also over weight and out of shape.

    When I got in shape, it screwed my sleeping up TERRIBLY for a while. I'd be dead tired from the losing weight and exercising and go to bed at say 11pm but then I'd wake up at 3:30ish unable to sleep, and feel drained all day. Now that I've become a regular exerciser and a good weight, I find I need sleep more but I'm also healthier and have a LOT more energy while up. So while i still get to bed at 12am often (between 10-12), that extra 2+ hours is a big difference.
     
    Herculite, Oct 20, 2014
    #32
    • Like Like x 1
  13. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC

    Yep, I need a new bed too...debating a queen or a king.
    Any suggestions, anyone??
     
    rogue49, Oct 20, 2014
    #33
  14. Shadowex3

    Shadowex3 Very Tilted

    Quality over quantity. Whatever you get make sure it's not going to hammock or feel like a trampoline/worn out pillow. Unless you're physically running out of space on the bed quality of construction will probably make a bigger difference than the extra foot or so of width. There's also the less cuddle-friendly option of sticking two long twins together.
     
    Shadowex3, Oct 20, 2014
    #34
    • Like Like x 1
  15. snowy

    snowy so kawaii Staff Member

    Love my Beautyrest.
     
    snowy, Oct 21, 2014
    #35
    • Like Like x 1
  16. genuinemommy

    genuinemommy Moderator Staff Member

    Original mattress factory. Amish-built box spring frames, quality production. Incredible comfort. I'm a huge fan. The Original Mattress Factory
     
    genuinemommy, Oct 21, 2014
    #36
    • Like Like x 1
  17. Herculite

    Herculite Very Tilted

    Karma

    I went to sleep earlish.

    Woke up at 3:30 AM and have been up since then, its going to be a long day.

    As for bed size there is a lot to be said for a king, but basically sleeping in a king with your mate is like sleeping alone. Sometimes I miss the closeness of our old tiny bed.
     
    Herculite, Oct 21, 2014
    #37
  18. spindles

    spindles Very Tilted

    Location:
    Sydney, Australia
    I find if I read a little (even as little as five minutes) before going to sleep, that I fall asleep more easily.
    Watching sport on TV right before bed can keep me awake for ages - especially something that goes right to the wire. It is amazing the adrenaline you get from watching footy on TV :(
    I rarely drink coffee at night, but don't find that it affects my sleeping.
    I also don't use an alarm clock unless I'm getting up really early (before 6am). Early rising for me usually means a terrible night's sleep as I constantly wake up and check the clock :(
     
    spindles, Oct 21, 2014
    #38
  19. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    We need to replace our mattress. Holy shit, buying a mattress is confusing.

    We have a good deal on this thing: Octaspring 6500 - Octaspring Canada

    But I'm concerned it's more gimmicky than good.

    Anyone have any advice on mattresses? We both want medium firmness, but beyond that we just want to pay what we need to pay to get a comfortable mattress.
     
    Baraka_Guru, Jan 29, 2015
    #39
  20. Chris Noyb

    Chris Noyb Get in, buckle up, hang on, & be quiet.

    Location:
    Large City, TX
    I'm a personal space sleeper. our king-size bed is the best thing I ever did for my sleep, & hers.
     
    Chris Noyb, Jan 31, 2015
    #40
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