Dealing with Less Sleep

[RedNeckJiuJitsu]

Obviously, getting a full night's sleep (8hours +/- depending on the person, other factors, and any sleep needing caught up on) is best, but what do you do when you can't get it, or when your sleep is always interrupted? Those with kids probably know what I'm talking about, as that's where my issue is. I love our boy, but he wakes up at least once a night for a diaper change. It's not as bad as it was when he was up every 2 hours for a bottle, but it's still screwing with me, even after a year, and we've got another on the way. Obviously caffeine can help a bit in short term, but, aside from naps (which aren't able to get often enough to be a big help) and lots of antioxidents, what are some suggestions to get through until I'm able to get caught up on sleep (in another 2 years or so, hopefully, barring anymore kids)?

[Johan]

I don't know to be honest how important sleep really is. My best training period ever was at the same time as my worst bout of insomnia ever. For a solid 6 months or so I was netting 4 hours of sleep per night or less and still gaining like mad.

For general health I guess little sleep is horrible, but it never ruined my training. Just play it by ear and if you had a really rough night just get the reps in but don't fret it if you are sluggish.

[big_k]

some of my best training bouts are when I am borderline delusional from lack of sleep


granted they say, you're body grows in your sleep... so it's hard to say, I don't make it a habit, but I average 6.5-7 hours right now.

[003]

It feels so exhausting when you have less of sleep for a day, much worse if it happens for consecutive days.

It always happens to me, having only few hours of about 3 hours a day consecutively. To cope with the stress and exhaustion, I take a cup of tea whenever I wake up and one in lunch. I avoid incurring in my body to much of caffeine as it will eventually give me crash. I avoid energy drinks. I eat a lot of fruits, energy fruits like banana and pineapple. I see to eat that I keep myself hydrated. I also avoid too much of carbohydrates during this time as it can actually make someone sleepy. I eat a lot of proteins, fish. I avoid fatty foods as they make me more lethargic. I also do exercise as they increase blood flow level, naturally making me alert and awake.

[Narkissos]

bump

[mairj23]

I'm currently suffering from lack of sleep. I just don't seem to have the energy throughout the day and training is suffering from this. I do train but my strength levels are down.

[Narkissos]

I've been averaging 3-4 hours per night for the past decade.

I'll be honest: the body adapts.

[Johan]

^^ I had my best training gains at the same period as I had my worst bout of sustained insomnia. Lack of sleep was an annoyance but it never really interfered with my physical or mental performance.

[Narkissos]

Originally Posted by Johan

^^ I had my best training gains at the same period as I had my worst bout of sustained insomnia. Lack of sleep was an annoyance but it never really interfered with my physical or mental performance.

Indeed.

Didn't you post something a while back about 8 hour bouts of sleep being a modern day construct only?

[Johan]

Yeah I think so. Must have been like two years back but it rings a bell.

I don't think I ever heard about any high performing individual that got their 8 hours...