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Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?

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Re: Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?

#41

Post by metadat »

wizofaus wrote: post #36
pschuegr wrote: post #32

For me it's pretty much down to this: 1) Consistent exercise 2) Eating reasonably healthy 3) Avoid blue light after dark as much as possible 4) No eating after 8pm (water and herbal tea are fine). 5) No problem solving after 8pm 6) No caffeine after 3pm. (I usually have a couple of cups of tea in the morning) Basically I feel like my body needs to be physically tired and well fed to need sleep, and then it needs to b…

5) is surely impossible if you have the sort of brain that makes you a good software engineer...

It's possible if you unplug from work and don't sit in front of a screen in the evening.

Re: Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?

#43

Post by radiojasper »

I stopped smoking weed. This made me tired earlier, causing me to sleep better. It was crazy because I tricked my mind for years it was the weed that made me sleep, while in fact it was the opposite. I also stopped drinking coffee after dinner as I used to do and go out more on (long) walks. This all in all made me feel a lot better and brighter.

Re: Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?

#44

Post by wizofaus »

metadat wrote: post #41
wizofaus wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

5) is surely impossible if you have the sort of brain that makes you a good software engineer...

It's possible if you unplug from work and don't sit in front of a screen in the evening.

I can't be the only software engineer whose brain is constantly trying to solve problems, regardless of where I'm sitting...

Re: Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?

#45

Post by BigRedDog1669 »

wizofaus wrote: post #44
metadat wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's possible if you unplug from work and don't sit in front of a screen in the evening.

I can't be the only software engineer whose brain is constantly trying to solve problems, regardless of where I'm sitting...

Yes, but that is something you can change with practice. It's going to be hard at first though.

Re: Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?

#46

Post by wizofaus »

BigRedDog1669 wrote: post #45
wizofaus wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can't be the only software engineer whose brain is constantly trying to solve problems, regardless of where I'm sitting...

Yes, but that is something you can change with practice. It's going to be hard at first though.

I've been trying for the last 30 years or so (don't really remember it being an issue until after early teenagerdom). When does it get easier?

Re: Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?

#47

Post by clintonwoo »

I'm currently living single, and I definitely found that only using natural light helps immensely. I don't even turn on the lights after 9pm ish and just see by street light barely coming in the windows. It actually works great. Makes me feel more connected to the physical world also.

Re: Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?

#48

Post by jakzurr »

NoSorryCannot wrote: post #25
smilebot wrote: post #19

Not sharing a mattress with my partner. We have two queen mattresses next to each other. Keeping the temp at 65F. No eating after 6. No slow digesting stuff for dinner.

This one can be hard to broach with your partner, for intimacy reasons, but I think the switch benefitted us both.

Known a few people who also kept spare bed (sometimes in same room) for occasional use. For example, if one partner is sick, if one has to sleep early for early departure, etc.

Re: Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?

#49

Post by jakzurr »

mellosouls wrote: post #7
kcindric wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What sleepbuds do you recommend? I'm aware of bose sleepbuds but you can only play audio on them from their library

I wouldn't like to recommend a particular brand as I just have cheap types that are flat earphones in a headband; "sleep phones" seems like the preferred google terminology, sorry. You can get them on eBay or Amazon for under $30 though there are no doubt better quality ones.

Wow! I didn't realize there were so many clever ideas. Thanks.

Re: Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?

#50

Post by greatatuin »

Went through a period of bad insomnia, anxiety etc.

Best things for me were: 1) Exercise but not too close to bed time 2) Sleep meditations on the Insight Timer app 3) Making sure I don't get too hot in the night. 4) Very dark room 5) Headphones/ear plugs to block out sensitivity to every little noise 6) No coffee or alcohol 7) Only relaxing books/shows before bed

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