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Impacts of lack of sleep

belkarx.github.io

161–170 of 254 posts

Re: Impacts of lack of sleep

#161

The caffeine trap can be particularly insidious, especially for those of us who metabolize it slower. Its half-life can range from as low as 1.5 hours all the way up to 9.5 hours. So on the high end of that scale, if you drink 3 cups of coffee, containing say 300mg of caffeine, between 7 and 10 AM then you still have around 100mg of caffeine kicking around in your system when 11pm rolls around, clogging up your adeno…

I'm probably your complete opposite on this lol. I don't know how tolerance plays into this, but I drink like 1L or more of coffee a day, and have done so for more than a decade, and I have never felt any difficulty falling asleep. Well, besides some reluctance during weekdays because I just don't want the next day to arrive, because of work, so I sometimes just go to sleep later and suffer the consequences for the n…

I also drink a lot of coffee. I notice the feeling, but it's slight. I rarely drink energy drinks anymore so if I drink a Red Bull I do feel it. My caffeine tolerance is pretty high. I can drink coffee with dinner and sleep fine an hour later.

Re: Impacts of lack of sleep

#162

For me, I find my sleep suffers because of what some describe as "revenge bedtime procrastination". When my job is shit (i.e. now), I'm more inclined to stay on the PC later doing things that bring me some level of joy, or play games to escape the mind spinning its wheels. I seem to more easily recognise that my job is unfulfilling because I'm staying up later or I'm dreading going to bed. Going to bed early for a go…

Are you me?

Am I you?

Re: Impacts of lack of sleep

#163

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My wife still manages 12+ hours per day - I get about 4-6. She wonders why I am gradually becoming irrationally irritable, as in her view being overtired is something that is easily controlled. Easily said when you get to sleep in to 1pm or later every day. I find myself picking fights with anyone and everyone, even inanimate objects. I know it’s crazy. We don’t have time together any more - I just fall asleep the mo…

> My wife still manages 12+ hours per day If she didn't start sleeping those number of hours until after having the baby, this sounds like it could be postpartum depression. I'd recommend she gets evaluated by a psychiatrist to confirm, of course.

She’s always slept like that. I’m in therapy, and am considering starting antidepressants, as the whole shebang is making me suicidal - and I think it’s mostly just the constant, gnawing exhaustion - I feel like I have flies crawling around behind my eyes. The sun pisses me off. I shout and swear at the stars at night.

Poor kid is stuck in the middle. Doing my best for both of them, I really am, but I gravely underestimated how hard this would be. I thought years of being on call would prepare me, but it’s an entirely different kettle of fish.

Re: Impacts of lack of sleep

#164
post #101

I only need 2-3 hours. I wish I could get more. You learn to use it as an advantage.

I thought the same. I didn’t “experience” any of these things. I’ve always been driven, fit, resilient. Procrastinated about my health, and being better about sleep/all-nighters. Then I was diagnosed with cancer at 30. Blessed to have treated it. I don’t take health for granted any longer, sleep is a critical component of my health. Mental and physical state are 10x where they were. Ymmv. There’s no proof that I dire…

I cannot sleep and there’s nothing I can do to alter that and no doctor that I’ve found can help. It was not my choice to stop being able to sleep. It’s not my fault either. One finds the benefits in it because the only other option is suicide, which is from what I gather a fairly common outcome. Consider that when you make statements about the negative consequences of insomnia. For many it’s not a choice and they are in a desperate, suicidal state. Telling them, “you’re giving yourself cancer,” is a bit cruel. Lastly, you’d be amazed how many famous people lived long productive lives on 4 hours a night or less. For those of us who the medical establishment has abandoned, these anecdotes are all we have. Be gentler please.

Re: Impacts of lack of sleep

#165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm probably your complete opposite on this lol. I don't know how tolerance plays into this, but I drink like 1L or more of coffee a day, and have done so for more than a decade, and I have never felt any difficulty falling asleep. Well, besides some reluctance during weekdays because I just don't want the next day to arrive, because of work, so I sometimes just go to sleep later and suffer the consequences for the n…

Do you have an attention disorder? I know from some people they experience caffeine differently. Although the mechanisms are beyond me.

Eh, I'd say "probably not", but I really haven't tried going to a doctor to check.

Re: Impacts of lack of sleep

#166
post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Quick advice - see if you can shift that to getting up earlier. You will probably spend the couple of hours in the morning in a way that sets you up for a better day vs staying up late sets you up for a bad tomorrow. I say this as an always "late" person who now tries to get up at 5 to work out and reflect, it's been very helpful.

I wish people would understand that "just get up early" simply does not and cannot work for a significant portion of the population (20-50% depending on which study you choose). Therefore it is aggravating advice to constantly receive, from those for whom it worked, to those for whom it won't.

^ This - thank you

Re: Impacts of lack of sleep

#167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

An ounce or two of bourbon works for me. Not enough to get intoxicated but just enough to feel warm and sleepy.

I hope I don't come across as the "well ackshually" guy, and I'm not definitely telling you to change, but maybe this could be useful to you: the alcohol episode of Huberman Lab podcast mentioned briefly at about 1:02:40 that in a discussion with a UC Berkley sleep researcher, it was said that having any alcohol at all on board interferes with sleep to the point that those in the field call it pseudo-sleep because it…

Are you saying that my favorite fictional Medical Doctor (House) passing out on Bourbon every night due to insomnia is an inadequate prescription?

Re: Impacts of lack of sleep

#168

Resonates with anyone that has had children. Biggest impact for both my wife and I was overall sleep quality/quantity and sacrificing sleep for a modicum of personal time at the end of the day.

My wife still manages 12+ hours per day - I get about 4-6. She wonders why I am gradually becoming irrationally irritable, as in her view being overtired is something that is easily controlled. Easily said when you get to sleep in to 1pm or later every day. I find myself picking fights with anyone and everyone, even inanimate objects. I know it’s crazy. We don’t have time together any more - I just fall asleep the mo…

I have a 5 year old and an 11 month old. I take immunosuppressants to manage a serious health condition. I've had sinus infections for 7 of the past 8 weeks, since the 5 year old started school. My teeth ache from coughing. The 11 month old has had a fever all weekend, and hasn't gone more than a 2 hour stretch without screaming. The 5 year old seems to have temporary hearing loss from being sick, and some resentment from being ignored in favor of the baby. My wife and I need to loudly yell 6-7 times between each other or the 5 year old in order to effectively communicate. I got about 3 hours of sleep tonight, and I'm thinking more about making hash browns than falling back asleep.

A similar scenario happened about 6 months ago. Of course, that round of sinus infections kicked off with a norovirus that had everyone but the baby violently exploding. It was especially fun because my wife also had a severely broken leg. She also suffered permanent hearing loss above 3.5Khz in one ear.

I am very fortunate that the company I work at has been overwhelmingly understanding and supportive.

Re: Impacts of lack of sleep

#169

For me, I find my sleep suffers because of what some describe as "revenge bedtime procrastination". When my job is shit (i.e. now), I'm more inclined to stay on the PC later doing things that bring me some level of joy, or play games to escape the mind spinning its wheels. I seem to more easily recognise that my job is unfulfilling because I'm staying up later or I'm dreading going to bed. Going to bed early for a go…

Quick advice - see if you can shift that to getting up earlier. You will probably spend the couple of hours in the morning in a way that sets you up for a better day vs staying up late sets you up for a bad tomorrow. I say this as an always "late" person who now tries to get up at 5 to work out and reflect, it's been very helpful.

This is what I do to maintain a some what normal sleep schedule while having to find quite time to work on personal projects with a 4yo in my free time. The thing that gets me is I seem to be way more productive at the end of the day at night. Idk if its just being a night owl, or maybe something to do with attention issues, but I feel like I grind out a lot more code from say 10->3am than 3am->8am even if I am more tired near the end of the night if I stay up late. But I still stick to the waking up early routine as I get a good rest and can always "sleep in" by getting up a little later so I always get 6-7 hours sleep instead of 5-6.

Re: Impacts of lack of sleep

#170
post #129

As a narcoleptic these always remind me that I'm kind of screwed on many fronts. I still try to do the good things (been going for morning walks, slowly getting to the point I don't have my phone with me in bed, drinking lots of water). Sorry kind of a rant.

Yeah, it's like when they talk about all the negative effects of anxiety - what is that supposed to do to an anxious person?
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