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AR15.COM
11/30/2011 10:20:04 AM EDT
I guess this is a good place to put this, since it is health related.
I have always had trouble falling asleep. I almost 22, full time college, work quite a bit in an office at a desk, and I work out when I can, which is usually right after work, so between 5 pm and 9 pm.

Lately I just cant fall asleep. I don't have to be up very early mainly because I have problems waking up, but it all goes back to my inability to fall asleep. I have read about melatonin, but I have also read that you can become dependent on it and I don't want that to happen. Anyone else struggle with mild insomnia or falling asleep? I would love to be the type to get up at 6 am and get my workout in then instead of at night, but I just can not do it when I toss and turn until 2 am trying to fall asleep.

Any suggestions are appreciated.
11/30/2011 10:25:23 AM EDT
[#1]
Try reading something entertaining (no newspaper, no magazine, nothing that makes your blood boil) in a low, softly lit atmosphere. I read novels in bed with the lights dimmed if I am having a hard time sleeping.
11/30/2011 10:44:56 AM EDT
[#2]
I work thirds. I sleep from 5-9 tops. When I do sleep its like 16 hours and then back to 3-4 hours.. I Just turned 23.
11/30/2011 11:47:48 AM EDT
[#3]
Are you taking a pre work out supplement/energy drink before hitting the gym?
11/30/2011 12:54:04 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
Are you taking a pre work out supplement/energy drink before hitting the gym?


Nope no supplement or caffeine, just some whey protein afterwards, and I even limit that if its later on in the evening when I finish because I am usually concerned the sugar in the powder keep me awake.

From what I have read I need to establish better sleep patterns, and I am wondering if I use melatonin to do that will I then need the melatonin to sleep from there on out.
11/30/2011 12:57:47 PM EDT
[#5]
take the bull by the horns and just force yourself to get up early.  sleeping at night won't be a problem.  you could even take it as far as getting in some or all of your workout in the morning since it takes a while to rev down from exercise and get sleepy
11/30/2011 12:59:14 PM EDT
[#6]
Tart cherry juice is loaded with antioxidants and melatonin.  A quart will last a month.  Put one oz in your bedtime shake (casein preferably) and then just relax.  

Sleep is crucial, and I know its not easy to get enough sometimes.  If you do ingest caffeine, stop 5hrs before bedtime.
11/30/2011 7:05:46 PM EDT
[#7]
Post your typical schedule.  From the time you get up to when you typically go to bed and everything that occurs in between.  

I used to have problems sleeping, I have figured it out now and fall asleep within 5-10 minutes, sleep peacefully and wake up 5-10 minutes before my alarm (0615).
11/30/2011 7:56:01 PM EDT
[#8]
There are a lot of nights that if i do get to sleep at all i can only go for about two hours before im up again.
I have found that if i take high doses of vitamin D (only about 400 UI) once I do get fall asleep I stay that way and have extremely vivid dreams.
Cant back it with any medical facts, but it works for me.
11/30/2011 8:32:35 PM EDT
[#9]
I'm in the same boat. I'm 22, so around the same age. I also tend to wake up several times a night but fall right back asleep.






I really have nothing to tell you. It's just the way I am. Melatonin freaked me the hell out when I took it to sleep one time.







I have a healthy diet, drink only water, workout a lot... but falling asleep takes at least 30 minutes if not longer like a couple of hours.







The only times I drop like a rock are when I take Nyquil or when I've been physically exhausted from serious training (read: forced malnutrition, lack of sleep, lack of energy).







I don't want to take anything to become dependent so I've just learned to deal with it. Use the time to meditate and relax.