I don't mean to be nosy, but I've now read quite a few references to Ambien CR and insomnia. Is it a big problem among posters? How do you combat insomina or sleep deprivation during meets and training and life? I'm not a big sleeper myself in terms of # hours, but I seem to know a lot of folks suffering from insomnia. Some are resigned to their fate; others are unhappy. What gives?
I think sleep is important, and yet if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. I have a long-term problem with sleep (check out time; East Coast). At Worlds, I just told myself this is what it is (many races on no sleep), and carried on.
It would be better to sleep, but I think it's better not to take drugs because they make (for me anyway) my muscles tired. It sucks not to sleep easily, but it's best I think not to obsess about sleep. There are lots of sleep hygiene adjustments you can research (what I am doing right now is about the worst thing you can do; the light from computers and TVs wakes you up). Mostly don't lie in bed for hours. Anyway, there are lots of good books on sleep hygiene and the most painful treatment is to confine your time in bed to when you are sleeping. And always set your alarm for the same time to get up. So if you are awake at 4 a.m., go to bed at 4 as your starting point, and get up at 7 or 7:30. Then in 15-minute increments go to bed earlier, if you fall asleep. I haven't been able to do this. A very painful way to reprogram your sleep cycle.
But I vote against drugs and sleep if you are wanting to race well. Better to be naturally tired, even exhausted, than drugged, for the muscles.
I think sleep is important, and yet if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. I have a long-term problem with sleep (check out time; East Coast). At Worlds, I just told myself this is what it is (many races on no sleep), and carried on.
It would be better to sleep, but I think it's better not to take drugs because they make (for me anyway) my muscles tired. It sucks not to sleep easily, but it's best I think not to obsess about sleep. There are lots of sleep hygiene adjustments you can research (what I am doing right now is about the worst thing you can do; the light from computers and TVs wakes you up). Mostly don't lie in bed for hours. Anyway, there are lots of good books on sleep hygiene and the most painful treatment is to confine your time in bed to when you are sleeping. And always set your alarm for the same time to get up. So if you are awake at 4 a.m., go to bed at 4 as your starting point, and get up at 7 or 7:30. Then in 15-minute increments go to bed earlier, if you fall asleep. I haven't been able to do this. A very painful way to reprogram your sleep cycle.
But I vote against drugs and sleep if you are wanting to race well. Better to be naturally tired, even exhausted, than drugged, for the muscles.
