polara71
Old Man with a Hat
Who's not sleeping???
- Thread starter Newport 66
- Start date
Newport 66
Old Man with a Hat
THANKS to everyone for your thoughts, ideas and suggestions......Zzzzzzzzzzzz!!
I'm convinced that to this day I haven't slept correctly or soundly for decades because I worked along time ago all three shifts....different shifts everyday... but worked the 3rd shift (11-7am) for about 8-10 years of my 14 year stint in the retail grocery business right out of high school before changing directions in career ...the night shift was brutal physically and mentally...But, the suits or upper managers were nowhere to be found.
Newport 66
Old Man with a Hat
My dad worked a 3 shift rotation as a power plant operator. It would take 2 days of a 3 day break to unwind and get the turbine whine out of his head (this was the days before OSHA safety), the it was on to the next shift. I'm convinced that lead to his heart issues and fatigue. After his heart attack at 62 (37 years on the oper. floor) , he transferred to technical engineering and retired at 65. He lived to be 83.
Stress, latent or otherwise, can cause many medical "issues" in our bodies. I figured this out when it took me 7 weeks to get rid of an athlete's foot situation. Seems that some of the popular medications only "made it mad" and it spread! Many of the therapies were basically relaxation operations. Soaking your feet in Epsom Salts? Forces you to sit still and relax for 30 minutes! Plus the absorption of magnesium transdermaly, which is a vital nutrient we need.
At the time, I had a lot of work-related stress as my work partner was not feeling well . . . for several weeks, so I tried to keep things going as best I could. There were a few other issues which ultimately resulted in my catching the athlete's foot stuff.
As for the prostate size issues, I figured out many of the "little secrets" about that deal when Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. LOTS of little things they don't admit to, like the prostate continues to grow with age, no matter what. My more recent theory is that the whole prostate situation is the result of elevated estrogen levels in males, as the proportionate level of "T" decreases with age. Maybe not more total estrogen, but in greater proportions to available "T". Estrogen-blocking supplements, plus the normal Saw Palmetto Berry supplements, have proven to work for me in keeping the size more under control. But that's another story!
In thinking about this deal today, one suggestion would be to worry about YOUR body and its desired schedule rather than what some "expert" might say. Everybody's different. Certainly any sleep is supposed to let the body recharge "to fight another day". The question might be if 4 hours of good sleep is better than 8 hours of sub-optimal sleep?
Now, it's one thing to be a little questioning if what you're getting is "normal". BUT if it starts to become an obsession, about whether you're getting enough or if what you're doing is "normal", that in itself can cause other issues. Don't necessarily worry about not being "normal" or "fitting in", let your body decide that, not some newspaper "expert". Go ahead and get some blood work done to look for nutrient/hormone levels, for diagnostics if nothing else, if desired. But my suspicion about how much sleep is "normal", an MD will probably tell you the same thing that's been in the news media on this subject. Or what they learned in med school. Not to demean an MD's advice, but I suspect you've already seen better comments in this discussion, with all due respect.
Personally, I don't believe we should be medicating our children to compensate for sub-optimal nutrition. In some respects, the same could be said for adults, too. If you choose to disagree, that's fine.
Respectfully,
CBODY687
At the time, I had a lot of work-related stress as my work partner was not feeling well . . . for several weeks, so I tried to keep things going as best I could. There were a few other issues which ultimately resulted in my catching the athlete's foot stuff.
As for the prostate size issues, I figured out many of the "little secrets" about that deal when Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. LOTS of little things they don't admit to, like the prostate continues to grow with age, no matter what. My more recent theory is that the whole prostate situation is the result of elevated estrogen levels in males, as the proportionate level of "T" decreases with age. Maybe not more total estrogen, but in greater proportions to available "T". Estrogen-blocking supplements, plus the normal Saw Palmetto Berry supplements, have proven to work for me in keeping the size more under control. But that's another story!
In thinking about this deal today, one suggestion would be to worry about YOUR body and its desired schedule rather than what some "expert" might say. Everybody's different. Certainly any sleep is supposed to let the body recharge "to fight another day". The question might be if 4 hours of good sleep is better than 8 hours of sub-optimal sleep?
Now, it's one thing to be a little questioning if what you're getting is "normal". BUT if it starts to become an obsession, about whether you're getting enough or if what you're doing is "normal", that in itself can cause other issues. Don't necessarily worry about not being "normal" or "fitting in", let your body decide that, not some newspaper "expert". Go ahead and get some blood work done to look for nutrient/hormone levels, for diagnostics if nothing else, if desired. But my suspicion about how much sleep is "normal", an MD will probably tell you the same thing that's been in the news media on this subject. Or what they learned in med school. Not to demean an MD's advice, but I suspect you've already seen better comments in this discussion, with all due respect.
Personally, I don't believe we should be medicating our children to compensate for sub-optimal nutrition. In some respects, the same could be said for adults, too. If you choose to disagree, that's fine.
Respectfully,
CBODY687
drpreposterous
Well-Known Member
Excellent suggestion, as magnesium is known to decrease anxiety and help sleep. But do remember chemicals are chemicals are chemicals, even when they're "natural." Keep your doc in the loop when you use home remedies like that. Too much magnesium can cause an irregular heartbeat.
And TBM3FAN's link "military technique" leads to a fast and easy guide to what's called Progressive Muscle Relaxation. Very effective as well. Great suggestions!
Those who referenced alternating shift work are also spot on. Sleep is a matter of a hormonal rhythm system (Circadian Rhythms). Alternating shifts throws it off. Moreover, regularly alternating shifts is known to lead to heart damage. Sleep is way too vital to physical and emotional health to simple give into/accept difficulties. Keep on reaching for answers!
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300Nutter
Senior Member
My grandma swore by elderberry wine. She drank it and rubbed it on her warts.
Don’t if that’s any help, but thought I would throw it out there. She lived in good shape to her mid 80s.
For me, I found switching on Night Mode on my iPad when browsing at night helped a lot, after I started using it. People say turn off you devices an hour two before bed, but Night mode works for me
Occasionally I take a melatonin and/or a Benadryl if I have trouble sleeping. If I have trouble sleeping, I’ll do it for a night or two. It seems to put me back in sync or something and I don’t have to take it all the time. We have room darkening drapes in bedroom, helps me sleep later in the summertime. Otherwise I wake up at the first crack of dawn. Not a problem this time of year. Also, I wear earplugs to bed. Have done that for decades.
Don’t if that’s any help, but thought I would throw it out there. She lived in good shape to her mid 80s.
For me, I found switching on Night Mode on my iPad when browsing at night helped a lot, after I started using it. People say turn off you devices an hour two before bed, but Night mode works for me
Occasionally I take a melatonin and/or a Benadryl if I have trouble sleeping. If I have trouble sleeping, I’ll do it for a night or two. It seems to put me back in sync or something and I don’t have to take it all the time. We have room darkening drapes in bedroom, helps me sleep later in the summertime. Otherwise I wake up at the first crack of dawn. Not a problem this time of year. Also, I wear earplugs to bed. Have done that for decades.
65sporty
Old Man with a Hat
I can sympathize with those of you that don't sleep well or have a hard time falling asleep, my wife has problems sleeping so I know what your going through. I myself have no problem sleeping, head hits the pillow I am out.
They sleep just fine in their own bed(s).
