I've been struggling with sleep problems (moreso than usual) recently, and I've been thinking about what in my daily routine is different now. Turns out, quite a bit - I just didn't really put it together. Anyway, I made a list, so I can see if any of them jump out as being more problematic than others...
Changes since start of 2019:
1) Dry January (extended indefinitely)
2) WHM breathing (change body chemistry)
3) daily coffee reduction by 33%
4) Intermittent Fasting / calorie restriction
5) started running/weights again
6) moved bed to new room (brighter paint color, more windows)
7) going out less (was 20+/mo, now 1/mo)
8) new shoe insert (back issues)
9) started talking to someone I really dig
Possible results of each change:
1) no more drinking = feeling healthier, possibly making me more alert, etc.
2) breathing method causing improved blood Ph/body chemistry also making me more alert/feeling healthier
3) less caffeine/mot having afternoon coffee should make it easier to sleep?
4) Calorie restriction/IF, I've been told, can really mess with your sleep habits. Wondering if maybe I'm not eating enough to support current exercise?
5) not going all-out on exercise anymore might also be making me more alert/feeling healthier, rather than run down.
6) street light directly in front of my house, two windows facing it. No black-out curtains means light in the room all night, plus light blue paint makes room even brighter. Most likely place to start.
7) ties in with less drinking, but also, no longer eating crappy food., again making me more alert/feeling healthier?
8) I've mentioned before, my right leg is shorter than my left by about 1/2 inch (12.7mm). New shim corrects walking gait, but shifts muscle compensation patterns in hips/along spine. back pain/issues likely causing sleep problems.
9) We have some of the most interesting conversations, and really connect on a lot of things. It's been pretty exciting & makes me look forward to the next time we talk. Has given me a more positive outlook all-around.
Not much to be done about 1,2,3, 5, 7 or 8 beyond waiting to see if I get used to it.
Item 9, wouldn't change a thing!
For item 4, I can try to eat a bit more, maybe add in some dry-roast mixed nuts. Higher calorie and not too filling, as I'm already having issues feeling too full in this 8hr time frame. Currently I'm getting about 2100-2200 cal/day, but expending (on workout days) 3200. That's right at the edge of more than recommended, and a big jump from where I was. Maybe if I'm a bit more conservative I'll do better.
Item 6 really looks like the place to start. I'll have to head out this weekend & see if I can find some pull-down blackout shades to put behind the horizontal blinds. Not crazy about the idea, but they're inexpensive, and I'm not really a 'curtains' kind of guy. I also think I need new pillows. The ones I have are memory foam, but it feels like they're breaking up internally. Hopefully those two things will have a positive effect, because I'm getting tired of being so tired every day.
5:55 p.m. - 2019-03-07
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