PM crash

[BikingNurse]

Looking for suggestions or what have you from those who have cured this. Lately, I have been getting that afternoon crash. I just want to take a nap!

Heres the break down.:I feel alot better when I walk on my lunch break but that usually takes up my whole break when I do that. I've increased my h2o intake decreased my soda. I'm not sleeping well at night. I work 36 hrs a week at the clinic then do scouts with my son and take the kids on a walk the other days. I'm so frusterated! I am trying to do enough stuff so I will be tired and then sleep well, but grrrr. it's not working the way (my) logic says it should. (I also have 2 other jobs that I do on call) last week I about worked my self to death but that is not normal

Any thoughts?

[redrhodie]

I thought you crashed your bike! Glad you're okay! :)

Afternoon crashing--I take a nap when I can. If I'm at work, a cup of coffee (with a little sugar if I'm really crashing). I usually pick up on the evening bike commute.

[BikingNurse]

OMG! See, thats how tired I am. I didn't even think of that. Brain must wake up !!!

[tulip]

Do you eat lunch? Do you eat breakfast? Do you eat protein at either or both? How much soda do you drink even though you've decreased it? Do you get enough sleep?

[Red Rock]

I noticed at my last job that, all other meals being equal becasue I ate them, by decreasing and then totally elimainating my sugar intake made the difference. Everyone else in the factory was needing their 2 o'clock caffiene fix and I was feeling just great. No caffiene needed here.

I do not know what your food intake is usually in reference to Tulips comments above. I eat a good breakfast. Then I had a snack at 10 o'clock for 1st break. This was made of homemade granola bars and some form of fruit. Then lunch without the sugar. Then a normal dinner. Throughout the day I only drank water. The exceptions were when I came home and needed something else other than water. The replacements would be cold tea of some crystal light.

Hope this helps.

Red Rock

[Geonz]

Yea, for me a shot of tea ( no sugar) is the cure. Soda is dreadful -- just crashes me worse. Think I'll try eradicating the sugar for a while, too (today sucked in the afternoon on general principle).

[tctrek]

+1 on eating every couple of hours.. I have lunch at noon, and apple+almonds at 2pm and a salad at 4pm. Then I ride at 6pm and drink sports drink + clif shot blocks. Lots and lots of lovely carbs and a little protein.

[BikingNurse]

I do eat breakfast is the sense that I eat in the morning but I need to change what i eat I think. Always have protien in the AM.
Tulip- no I'm not sleeping well. I'm waking up several times a night and I don't know why. Didn't used to be like that. All three kids sleep through the night unsless they have a bad dream or have to use the loo. I know I've fell off the wagon nutrition wise. Could it really be that? could that be affecting everything else?

[redrhodie]

I've had periods of insomnia my whole life. At one point, I went to a Dr. for my sleep problems. She recommended that I get up and read something really boring, not to stay in bed waiting to get tired. This does help. I also find a hot bath with Epsom salt helps, and if I'm really in a rut, hot milk before bed. Nix the coffee in the afternoon that I mentioned in my earlier post. That's not a good idea for someone with sleep problems.

I recently bought a "side sleeper" pillow, and I've been sleeping really well ever since (knock on wood!). I also wear a blindfold because I sleep better if it's really dark. Most of my trouble has been because of my kitties waking me. I sometimes give them turkey for their evening meal, hoping it will make them sleep through the night. That hasn't really made a difference. :rolleyes:

[tulip]

I know I've fell off the wagon nutrition wise. Could it really be that? could that be affecting everything else?

Absolutely. Nutrition affects e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. I sleep poorly when I eat too much sugar, don't drink enough water, eat too late in the evening, eat too much rich food, have caffeine after 10am; it goes on and on.

So I really try to eat as healthily as I can. Lately, I've not been doing a very good job because of work responsibilities and it shows--I'm having trouble sleeping and I'm tired when I wake up. This has been going on just in the last week or so and I know exactly why. It's a combo of too much work, not enough fruits and veggies, irregular eating schedule, too much quick food, and a lack of mindfulness in my eating (in other words, I don't eat until I'm really hungry and then slurp down whatever is quick and easy--not a good way to do things). And not riding my bike enough!

Pilates in the mornings really perks me up and gives me lots of energy that lasts during the day. Yoga at night, particularly the relaxation techniques, really helps with my sleep.

I have so much going on right now and sometimes it's hard to slow down and take care of myself properly. Perhaps you have a similar situation.

[Wahine]

I agree with everything else that has been posted here and Tulip has given some really great advice.

To throw a different angle on things... I was trained in medical acupunture which includes training in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM theory frequent waking at night and afternoon fatigue are related to a deficiency in a specific energy system. That system is helped by hot baths with salts (as mentioned above), lots of green foods... especially dark green like kale and seaweed, fish in general but especially deep sea fish and salty foods. Also massages of the feet, especially the heels and balls of the feet. Acupuncture might be something to look into.

Hope that give you some ideas.

[Triskeliongirl]

Try a high protein low carb lunch. I have impaired glucose tolerance, and before figuring that out, would crash on my office floor for an afternoon nap. Same thing would happen if my thyroid hormone dosage was off (Hashimotos).

If you aren't sleeping, avoid stimulants like caffeine in the afternoon and evening, and see if that helps. If I have coffee too late in the day I won't sleep, even decaf!!

[BikingNurse]

Thank you for your advise. I really do take it to heart and appreciate everyones input.
Wahine, I do love acupuncture. but I'm sure you know that there are not many around in the columbia basin especially Grant County. I really need to find one.
Tulip. lol. it's kinda funny I know this stuff! but I wasn't thinking about it or using it. Sometimes we need another persons fresh eyes to point out the obvious. Thank you so much!!
I also got a woman's multivitamin and B-12. I started taking those on Friday. We will see what happens. I have put more leafy greens in my fridger (I love fresh spinach.) I will let you gals know how it goes over the week.
Again. Thank you. I really appreciate your time!!:)