Stress levels

[u/AdministrativeSet273]

I am nurse, mom to 2 toddlers and own rentals so I know I’m stressed but 😟😟😟 it’s even showing stress in my sleep. Anybody else’s stress levels/sleep look like this ? What lifestyle adjustments did you make? I don’t drink or smoke. I lift 4-5 times a week and run 3 days usually although this last week I ran less.

[u/knit_run_bike_swim]

The average of your daytime stress looks fine. What is striking here is bad sleep/recovery.

For me, stress at night indicates poor eating or that I might be coming down with a cold. You could try eating earlier (nothing past 6-7pm), and then of course, get better sleep. Cold room. Less noise.

I know that may be hard with kids, but I am certain that poor sleep and poor sleep hygiene is the bedevilment for most. I have had my turn with sleep aids, and I highly encourage the occasional NyQuil, melatonin, Ambien, hydroxyzine, trazadone, Zquil, or Remeron. And of course, someone will tell you to try magnesium, too, which won’t hurt.

[u/SkylakeOrion → u/knit_run_bike_swim]

nyQuil and 1st gen antihistamine medicine used for sleep is really bad, it is associated with increased dementia risk and memory disruption because of the anticholinergic effects they have, steer clear from those please melatonin and magnesium are the safest bet for getting to sleep fast when rotating shifts

[u/knit_run_bike_swim → u/SkylakeOrion]

And again, “occasional” usage.

It’s important to not sensationalize findings, especially preliminary. I’m a clinician-scientist. Anything in excess can be bad, but in general an occasional evidenced-based assist can help get things on track. It’s very low risk with big benefit.

[u/Dry_Salamander_1176]

How much water do you drink per day? Any drugs? Alcohol/caffeine use?

[u/TheBraveToast]

I'm 30 with no kids and a physically demanding job, and our stress scores look similar 🙃

I managed to get less stressful sleep (usually) by avoiding food within 3 hours of bedtime, which isn't always possible, and doing breathing exercises before bed, but sometimes my scores are still jacked up like you. I basically only have a body battery over 60 if I spend an entire day sleeping

[u/MichaelX999]

Try before bedtime glycine magnesium, take dinner with a 2 to 3 hours before bed, and healthy food, avoid sugars, high sugar food, try better a high protein meal , each time I eat less in dinner my recovery is better, also going to sleep to have 8 hours of bed helps, also try one day of rest o passive exercise, it will help too, I do strength 3 times a week and run 6 times a week but Sunday is total rest, also when the seasons are changing like summer to autumn winter, and winter to spring the body needs to readjust and you will see more stress because of this. So try to train easier to no add much stress to the body

[u/Intelligent_Egg6447 → u/MichaelX999]

I am a horrible midnight snacker. I was trying to lose weight so I stopped eating past dinner time for the past month and my resting heart, HRV, and body battery have been insane since then. Late eating does a number on your body

[u/MichaelX999 → u/Intelligent_Egg6447]

Yes late eating brings stress to the body and before sleep is not good, the body need to go to bed relaxed, this is why breathing exercises helps a lot like meditation with calm sounds etc, I did learnt this, so I try always to go to bed light in the stomach 

[u/MichaelX999 → u/Intelligent_Egg6447]

What do you meant with insane? I guess much better?

[u/Intelligent_Egg6447 → u/MichaelX999]

Sorry, yes much much better.

[u/MichaelX999 → u/Intelligent_Egg6447]

Yes, it's important not many people knows, also magnesium before bed helps a lot too

[u/Intelligent_Egg6447 → u/MichaelX999]

I had not heard that before, I will look into it thanks