1st day of decreased sleep training report

[kdeno]

:D

After reading all of the threads I decided to try to cut back on my sleep. I am expecting my 5th child in 7 years so I do not want to cut back too much but frankly, I am exausted constantly so why not get something done? I can sleep for 9 hours PLUS take a nap in the afternoon and still be DYING.

I slept for approx 6 hours and I am OK! I am taking my vites and drinking more water. I was neglecting both of these. If anyone has any more suggestions I would love to hear them.

Thanks!

Kari

[Jean in Wisc]

The research I've been reading says that the average person needs 8 to 8.5 hours of sleep and people who live on 5 and 6 hours of sleep in reality are sleep deprived.

Go to bed and get up around the same time each night as much as possible.
Eat healthy meals--and don't eat just before bed time.
You will not feel as tired if you get regular exercise (although at first you might be more tired). Aerobics, fresh air, stretches, weights...whatever you can add to your day. Get out and sled with the poohs or whatever.

(And I know--I had little ones at one time, and getting some of this done is so hard!!!)

Drink plenty of fluids.
A basic vitamin is a good idea.

Have "down" time. Time to sit. Time to relax. Just a few minutes here and there. I use to tell my dc that my ears were sore and tired and they needed a bit of quiet. "Mommy has eye lids but no ear-lids. She can't close her ears, so you are going to have to be quiet for 10 minutes. I'll set the timer. Thank you!"

LOL!
Good luck :-)
Jean

[Jean in Newcastle]

I've heard that you can sleep too much. Maybe that was your case. I'm not one to talk though because I'm exhausted all the time (and I only sleep for 6 hours). Listen to your body. Keep up your vitamins and water. If your body needs more it will start to crash (in a few days, probably). If it does, listen to it and increase your sleep at least an hour a day!

[Barb F. PA in AZ]

I don't think it's wise to decrease your sleep right now, particularly if you're in your first trimester. Pregnant women need several extra hours of sleep a night (or tacked on with a nap). 9 hours plus a nap is not out of the ordinary. Sleep deprivation can cause problems with your immune system which is not something you want to be struggling with when you're pregnant and have 4 little ones. No, please listen to your body. Getting things done is not as important as your health right now.

Barb

[Colleen]

The research I've been reading says that the average person needs 8 to 8.5 hours of sleep and people who live on 5 and 6 hours of sleep in reality are sleep deprived.

I wonder how a determination is made as to what constitutes sleep-deprivation. My experience (and that of many people I know) just doesn't jive with the long-standing notion that adults "need" 8+ hours of sleep per night.

[Colleen]

Your body has been working overtime for much of the last seven years ~ including at present. I don't think this is an ideal time to try to drastically alter your sleep habits. On the other hand, I certainly encourage you to keep up with any supplements you might need as well as getting enough water and exercise. Sometimes the best way to counter feeling sleepy is to simply stand up and do something, get some fresh air.

[RoughCollie]

http://mayoclinic.com/health/how-many-hours-of-sleep-are-enough/AN01487

Sleep and health: How many hours of sleep are enough?

[kdeno]

I went to bed early last night and got 8 hours. Colleen, your posts really got me thinking about how I can be more productive. I do not have time this second to write everything but I am thankful for my online friends on this board :-)

Kari

[PrairieAir]

I agree that now may not be the best time to cut back on the amount of sleep you're getting. If you pay attention to what your body is telling you, there shouldn't be any problem with trying it though. If one less hour of sleep makes you feel better, go with that. If it makes you feel worse, go back to your regular schedule.

For me personally, I have noticed that sleeping too much can make me more tired. Which hours I choose to sleep also seems to make a difference. If I go to bed at 10:00 and wake up at 4:30, and do it regularly, I usually have more energy. If I stay up until midnight and wake up at 6:30, it's not the same. Sometimes a 15 minute nap mid morning or mid afternoon is better than staying in bed an extra hour. Pay attention to your internal clock. It won't be set the same as everyone else's.

Some of the differences have to do with the demands we put on our bodies. My husband's job is very physically challenging. I would expect him to need a little more sleep than me. On the other hand, if I am not getting enough fresh air and exercise, I am more tired than he is after a full day of construction work. A pregnant woman will generally have more demands on her body than a healthy woman who is not pregnant. Some of it has to do with health and nutrition.

Again, listen to your body and pay attention to your own internal clock. Make sure you are eating healthy and getting enough fresh air and exercise.

[BamaTanya]

I understand that you're exhausted. But I wouldn't try to overcome it now. If you're concerned that something is wrong with you, talk with your doc. Many things can make you extra fatigued: anemia, depression, stress, hypothyroidism, pregnancy, and nursing, for example. Your doc can advise you if there is something else going on that needs to be treated. As I recall, the first trimester (while caring for other little people) was so hard. Don't fight it now!

Yes, I've known people who needed 5 hrs of sleep and others who needed 9 or more. From *my* reading, all these people were normal for *them* and there wasn't something they could do to change their own needs.

You may be able to do something about the *timing* of your needs (like avoiding the need for a mid-day nap). Maybe. But talk to your dr before you decide to change ANYTHING right now. Your body is working overtime trying to support someone new! This (IMNSHO) is a time for pampering and any extra help offered. :)

Blessings!