Question:
I wake in 4 hrs, suggest snack that will let me go back to sleep
I usually wake up in 4 hour stints-watch TV for 1 hr then force myself to go back to sleep. What suggestions for something to eat that will not keep me up so I can go back for 3 or 4 more hours of sleep? — domdom (posted on October 23, 2006)
October 22, 2006
Eating to help me get back to sleep was one of my worst pre-operative
behaviors. Even though consuming carbs will definitely put me to sleep, it
is not a behavior I want to repeat. For that reason, even though I have a
nearly identical sleep pattern, I will drink something warm to help soothe
me enough to get back to sleep.
— SteveColarossi
October 23, 2006
I agree with the last response. Celestial Seasonings makes a tea called
"Sleepy Time", that is suppose to relax you and help you fall
esleep. My husband drinks it to unwind sometimes at night.
— KELLY R.
October 23, 2006
Are you eating because you are hungry, or because you are awake? If you
are hungry, drink a protein shake, they have some excellent premade protein
shakes in great flavors, that will keep you full long enough to sleep. If
you are eating because of events in you life, and if that is why you can
not sleep, instead of watching tv, get a relaxing CD and do some
mediatation, yoga or some kind of mind relaxing excercise, or take a bath
with some soothing bubbles.
— cindy
October 23, 2006
Do you really feel you need to eat to go back to sleep? What about a cup of
warm chamomile tea?
— dabby
October 23, 2006
The teas don't work for me - although they are pretty fair tasting in my
opinion.
I'm a firm believer in essential oils and have found that Bath & Body
Works makes bath soaps and bath creams as well as an essential oil of
Lavender.
I have used the Lavender pillowmist and always take a hot shower or bath
before going to sleep using the Lavender bath soap and lotion.
I then put a few sprits of the pillow spray onto my pillow and I'm off to
la-la land.
Hope this helps you out.
— Merredeth
October 23, 2006
Hi Dom... My first question to you, is why do you have to eat to go back to
sleep? It seems like a bad habit to continue or start up. Camomille tea
works great. Try exercising, it will do one of two things - wake you up or
make you sleepy, worth a try though. How about reading a book vs watching
TV that may help you fall asleep. Just a few suggestions... good luck to
you.......
— Kari_K
October 23, 2006
It seems to be fairly common after 2 yrs or so. We speak of this a lot on
the Grad list. The sleep 4, then awake, and the various ways we've chosen
to deal with it. But I'm with the others in that I'm thinking if a protein
drink or a beef stick doesn't do it, seek help elsewhere.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG
— vitalady
October 23, 2006
If Must really eat something try my CHEESE CAKE
Place two of the individually wrapped type cheese slices in a empty bowl I
prefer the Cool Whip bowls. Put the in diangonally to each other. Place the
bowl in the center of your microwave. And nuke for 1 monute 35 to 40
secotnds. Take out and cool for a few minutes. then pop out your cheese
cake.
It's like a Rice Cake but totally cheese. Crunchy and dipable.
— Michael Eak
October 24, 2006
When this happens to me I pull out one of my handy dandy protein bars with
a good ole cup of wate thus getting a head start on my protein (and fluid)
requirements.
Benita Lewis, OH
— NEETAJEAN
October 24, 2006
I don't eat in the middle of the night thus I have no idea as to what foods
will not keep you up. I do have a couple suggestions tho.
If you are waking up out of hunger, it might be helpful to add a bit of
extra protein and fat to your evening meal/snack before bed.
If you are waking up for unknown reasons, it might be helpful to consider
some kind of night time sleep aid. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is sold both
as an allergy medicine as well as a sleep aid... it's non-addictive, cheap,
and works well for most people.
Sorry I don't have any better ideas for ya. If you do eat in the middle of
the night, for whatever reason, don't forget to brush your teeth again. :)
— mrsidknee
October 26, 2006
You may need a sleep study! At the very least you have poor sleep hygiene.
I wonder what causes you to wake up. Hunger? Is this head hunger or are you
really hungry? Do you follow the rules of the pouch? Are you grazing?
I strongly disagree with the advice to exercise when you're trying to go
to sleep. While exercise can be very beneficial, you shouldn't exercise
within 4 hours of bedtime. Waking up to eat and watch tv is a habit.
You've gotten yourself in the habit of waking and then eating and watching
tv. TV's don't belong in the bedroom! Move your clock so that you cannot
see it from the bed. Ask your doctor for a referral to a sleep specialist
that can help you with your sleep hygiene.
Just FYI, I am a registered sleep technologist (RPSGT) and have been
studying sleep patients for 16 years. God bless you.
— Norm Smith
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