Tired Of/from Not Sleeping

Updated on October 18, 2011
M.K. asks from Eldorado, WI
4 answers

For about 9 months or so I was getting up almost daily at approx. 4:30 a.m. to go work out. Toward the middle/end of summer I cut it back to 2 to 3 days a week and would sleep "in" the other days till 6:00. Except I keep waking up around 5:00 a.m. and then doze on and off until my alarm goes off. I am still tired at 5:00 so I don't get up then. I work full time so naps for me are not an option. I fall asleep fine, but would just like to sleep until the alarm goes off. because of our schedules, kids don't go to bed until approx 8:30 (they are still getting plenty of sleep, and for a whole host of reasons, an earlier bed time is not practical) so I don't unwind until after that. Spend some time with hubby, and typically don't go to bed until about 10:00 or 10:30. I have had my thyroid tested SEVERAL times over the years for many reasons and it always comes back fine. I expected my body to kind of remember that I got up early for so long, but I just want to sleep. ADDITIONAL INFO: My husband and I work full time; his job is commission based, my job has the insurance. I leave at 7:50 to take youngest to daycare; work 8:30 to 5, pick kids up from daycare (closer to MY work than his) home by 5:45, lucky to have dinner on the table by 6:15 depending on the day. That is a day with no activities and with husband home to help. I work out in the morning b/c my kids sleep till 7;15--works for them/us. I go to the local YMCA--up at 4:30 to get dressed and get to the Y at 5 a.m. for the class I LOVE 2 days a week (in summer I could sleep a little later and run at home on the other days, refuse to do so in the dark, no street lamps where I live) while husband and kdis still sleep, home and in shower by 6;30, ready to get kids up and going at 7;15. Working out AFTER work will not work--I would NEVER see my kids (and they are not morning people, so changing their schedule is not so practical)--I wouldn't get to the Y until 5:30-ish at best and not home till after 6;45 and then eat. I HAVE to shower after a work out--I sweat like crazy, and working out late does nothing for helping me GET to sleep later; and when I do get up for a morning workout, I feel better for the day. I am not one to be able to work out at home--the classes at the Y keep me on track overall (or daylight in the summer to run outside) I stopped working out as many days b/c I was pregnant and figured sleep was just as important. Then had a miscarriage, some expected depression and lack of ambition and a lot of other personal stressors in my life and decided I was running myself down, hence the choice for more sleep. Trying to drop a few extra pounds (the last few stubborn ones) b/c I am between pant sizes--one size is too tight, next size up looks ridiculous on me--I've tried MANY stores, brands, styles, etc. SO I figured maybe I needed to shift my metabolism, let my body rest and my body might stop fighting me on the last few pounds (worked after pregnancy the first 2 times to cut back the cardio/increase the sleep once baby was sleeping better--dropped 10-15 pounds very quickly with more sleep at that time). My prior workout schedule did not include any rest days, and I know that is important too, so I added the "off" days to sleep/recover. SO, now I'm rambling and as you can see there are many factors involved here. Bottom line, I feel I NEED more sleep. Many days I set the alarm to go to the Y and I am sooooooo tired I reset the alarm to an hour and a half later just so I can sleep some more.

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More Answers

C.B.

answers from Kansas City on

i think we're missing part of the story...why would you stop excercising? I mean you're already up, might as well if you can't get back to sleep... but 10 pm to 5 am is 7 hours...sounds normal to me. i don't get it...i think we're missing something.

that actually sounds a lot like my normal routine, just an hour earlier. my son goes to bed at 8, i am down by 9:30 or so, up by 5 to work out.

maybe you still FEEL tired at 5 am because you just woke up, maybe if you got up and around you'd be fine?

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K.C.

answers from Orlando on

I am the same way, but mine isn't usually at 5 it's at 2 or 3 or 4. I don't have to get up until 6:45 and same as you I go to bed between 10 and 11.
I wish that when I woke up, I could fall back asleep. But I check on the babies and see if they are the reason I woke up, and then I just can't turn it off, I lay there and think of things and about things. I end up so exhausted that by the time the alarm goes off I want to cry and go back to sleep. All that helps me is a big cup of coffee in the mornings. :)

Why did you stop working out daily, your body might still be craving the activity? I'm sure your body will get used to it, but I think the "dozing" is what is making you more tired. Not a professional opinion of course, just what happens to me.

I'll be reading your responses and seeing if you get any good advice that I can practice as well. :)

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C.W.

answers from Santa Barbara on

How do you feel during the day?? Maybe your body is fine now sleeping for 6.5 hours and then dozing until your alarm goes off? My need for sleep changed about six years ago so I get about 3.5 - 5 hours of sleep (there are no babies in my home and it is even on weekends!). My understanding is that as we age, we need less sleep (not everyone I know). Naps for me are counterproductive on the weekends. I guess it just matters how you feel during the day, 6.5 hours for me is two days sleep.

T.C.

answers from Dallas on

People need different amounts of sleep. It sounds like you might need more. From what I remember learning, most people need closer to 8 hours. Is there any way to fit exercising in at a different time of day? Maybe on your way home from work? I need about 8.5 hours of sleep in order to feel rejuvenated and not tired. Do I ever get that? I can't remember the last time I slept that long, especially uninterrupted. Usually it's closer to 5-7 hours, interrupted several times. Makes me tired all the time. Right now I'm just wishing I could get 3-4 hours solid! Once I get that, then I'm going to wish for a total of 8.5 hours;-)

I think it makes sense that you stopped exercising so you could sleep more. It definitely sounds like you need it. I would also consider going to bed a little earlier. I know that is HARD to do when you need some quiet time. Maybe try to be in bed by 10pm at the LATEST, never later.

If you stopped exercising early in the morning, I imagine your body would get used to sleep better through that time...assuming you can exercise a different time in the day. Oh, and I also heard that even when you aren't asleep, just laying there is equal to 80% of what you get when you're actually asleep. So, it's helpful to lay there even if you are awake.

I don't think you sound like there is anything wrong with you physically. You really sound short on sleep to me!

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