Ask HN: Tips for more energy during day? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Tips for more energy during day?

#81

Post by schwartzworld » Mon, Nov 08, 2021, 12:14 PM UTC

timbeccue wrote: post #73

joeman1000 wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It can be an indicator, but you don’t have to snore to have it. I think if you fit any of these: - male - overweight - tired in the daytime you should go for a sleep study! I got diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. It almost ruined my life, causing me to drop out of my engineering course. I would fall asleep in lectures and do no work, with no energy to push myself. I was diagnosed a couple of years ago, had sinu…

I’m intrigued by this. Did you have any symptoms that pointed to sleep apnea besides being tired/falling asleep during the day? I used to fall asleep during class, which led to my (positive) life changing adhd diagnosis. While stimulants have since helped me stay awake, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s still an underlying sleep problem. May mention this next time I see my doc.

Brain fog, loss of interest in things...

Another big one can be getting up to pee at night, as your bladder fills up when you stop breathing for some reason.

Re: Ask HN: Tips for more energy during day?

#82

Post by xlaacid » Mon, Nov 08, 2021, 1:03 PM UTC

if you live with someone, ask if they hear you snoring or choking at night while you sleep. If so, go tell your doctor and ask if you might have sleep apnea. One of the most common signs is daytime drowsiness.

Re: Ask HN: Tips for more energy during day?

#83

Post by markus_zhang » Mon, Nov 08, 2021, 1:20 PM UTC

Background:

Father with a 13-month old baby and a full-time job, 3/2 split in WFH/WFO.

Aside from the obvious things you mentioned, I found that these items work for me:

- Light lunch is the single most important thing after a good night of sleep;

- Replacing dinner with some snacks not only helps with weight but also with awareness;

- Never drink Coffee if you don't need it. Drink caffeinated ones if you need the flavour;

- Taking a 15-min nap helps too, but it doesn't work as good as 10 years ago;

- Getting an outdoor hobby (I collect fossils) alone tremendously helps with WFH unhappiness

Re: Ask HN: Tips for more energy during day?

#84

Post by softwaredoug » Mon, Nov 08, 2021, 1:22 PM UTC

I really struggle with fatigue due to a chronic sleep issue. Here’s what helps me:

- see a sleep specialist. You might have a sleep issue like apnea or periodic limb movements that disrupt your sleep without you realizing it. Or narcolepsy, which can show as a kind of chronic drowsiness.

- find a good sleep book. I really enjoyed The Sleep Solution by dr Chris winter.

- mindfulness practice: sometimes this itself can help deepen your sleep.

- Take a power nap (but not a long nap) post lunch. We’re naturally diurnal, so tend to feel sleepy early afternoon.

- Exercise for a short term energy boost and to deepen your sleep at night.

- Hydration: drink a good amount of water. Dehydration is a big cause of fatigue for me

- do low key activities on bad days: be easy on yourself and take it slow. Read a relaxing book or take a bath. Don’t put tons of pressure on yourself.

- magnesium supplements: this is probably the most frequently helpful supplement for improving sleep. It’s often said most people have a magnesium deficiency.

Re: Ask HN: Tips for more energy during day?

#85

Post by throw_this_one » Mon, Nov 08, 2021, 1:34 PM UTC

canjobear wrote: post #30

Jugurtha wrote: post #11

I used to wake up at 0430, do a workout at home (push-ups, squats, abs, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, etc) for 30 minutes (hundreds of push-ups and squats, etc). Then take a shower. Then breakfast: water, 4 eggs, steak, turkey scallops, half a liter of milk (well, café au lait), fruit). I'd go out and feel I could slay dragons and bite the moon, and feel that way throughout the whole day. My classmates would get…

Your energy might have been what enabled you to complete the workout routine every day, rather than the workout routine being the cause of your energy. How did things change when you stopped the routine?

Anybody who's done something like the above knows that the early morning workout is the ignitor that gets you on track, syncs your circadian rhythm, etc.

When you sleep in etc, that's when you start to get low energy and lethargic.

Re: Ask HN: Tips for more energy during day?

#86

Post by throw_this_one » Mon, Nov 08, 2021, 1:36 PM UTC

lrPrentice1 wrote: post #61

The Chinese have been studying this question for melennia—-have developed sophisticated systems to promote energy and health including gigong and tai chi. Look into books by Lam Kam Chuen and Bruce Frantzis.

What would be your ultimate first book for someone who gets the gist of the practices but needs a place to start for implementing?

Re: Ask HN: Tips for more energy during day?

#87

Post by paulcole » Mon, Nov 08, 2021, 1:36 PM UTC

munch117 wrote: post #58

paulcole wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is funny because I do eat lots of carbs, drink quite a bit of coffee, and never take cold showers. Yet somehow I have plenty of energy. What do you think is going on here?

The type of carbs matters. I wonder how much of the carb demonization here is really code for high-glycemic stuff like cereals and bread, in particular sugary American bread. If the carbs you eat in the morning are slow carbs, then there's no reason you shouldn't have high energy all through the day. The other possible explanation is that you are young, and your body is (for a while yet) very good at regulating blood…

> The other possible explanation is that you are young, and your body is (for a while yet) very good at regulating blood sugar.

Nope! I have Type 1 diabetes!

Re: Ask HN: Tips for more energy during day?

#88

Post by throw_this_one » Mon, Nov 08, 2021, 1:36 PM UTC

b-mmxx wrote: post #39

mhkool wrote: post #4

Did you check your cortisol levels? Drowsiness is a symptom of adrenal fatigue.

Except it does not exist [1]. Please do not spread misinformation. [1]: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27557747/ (Adrenal fatigue does not exist: a systematic review)

How would it not exist? ex. Overworking your adrenal system with stressors and stimulants.

Re: Ask HN: Tips for more energy during day?

#89

Post by delecti » Mon, Nov 08, 2021, 1:54 PM UTC

crakenzak wrote: post #60

delecti wrote: post #43

It's not always possible, but try to take a 20 minute nap in the early afternoon. Doesn't matter if you fall asleep, just lie down and keep your eyes closed for 20 minutes. I have far more productive afternoons on the days when I take a 20 minute nap after lunch. Definitely a boon of working from home.

Is it still considered a nap if you don't fall asleep?

Maybe not, but when you're lying down the border between nap and meditation can be pretty blurry.

Re: Ask HN: Tips for more energy during day?

#90

Post by caskstrength » Mon, Nov 08, 2021, 3:21 PM UTC

throw_this_one wrote: post #85

canjobear wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your energy might have been what enabled you to complete the workout routine every day, rather than the workout routine being the cause of your energy. How did things change when you stopped the routine?

Anybody who's done something like the above knows that the early morning workout is the ignitor that gets you on track, syncs your circadian rhythm, etc. When you sleep in etc, that's when you start to get low energy and lethargic.

"Anybody"? I tried exercising early in the morning for several months and hated it. It turned out that 1) I got very sleepy during the day 2) I can't exercise as hard as usual because I'm just not in the right mood that early.