i can't sleep

[John Galt]

today is day 26 as a vegan. i havent lost weight, but i feel great and i like the focus this diet gives me.
however, i sleep very poorly, almost like insomniac.
any suggestions? do other vegans have similar sleeping problems?
thanks

[chronyx]

Hi John, are you getting enough healthy fat, such as from olives, olive oil, avocados?

Hemp oil is worth buying too.

Fats are important for general well-being.

Once I drop off, I sleep like a baby

[moggy]

I'm trying to cure my long term sleeping problems at the moment. For the last 2 weeks I have eaten lots of potatoes for carbs late at night (at GPs suggestion) (and through being gluten free I admut my carbs intake was low), and am taking calcium/zinc/magnesium tablets. Things are improving on this regime, albeit slowlu.

[Linnéa76]

Hi! I doubt your problem has anything to do with diet per se.

I do think that going vegan would feel like an important or even dramatic change for most people. As a new vegan, you've probably been doing some thinking lately. You're likely to be more observant of how you feel, physically and mentally. Maybe you're also thinking about things you're engaged in while laying in bed and finding it hard to "switch off"?

Maybe you should give yourself an hour to wind down before going to sleep, maybe try some relaxation techniques. And not watch TV or browse vegan forums right up until bedtime.

Good luck!

[Konstantin]

I agree about winding down. Reading is excellent. and maybe get into a routine of winding down in bed in the dark, aim to do some meditation in the dark to relax your mind and body for 10 mins beore letting go.

Also, train hard earlier in the day and make sure your brin and body get used to tire you out.

[John Galt]

rich roll is the guy who introduced me to this vegan stuff.

my wife reads voraciously after dinner, before she goes to sleep and she sleeps like a baby .... each time i try this, i fall asleep after a couple of pages.

thanks for the input everyone

[flatbushvegan]

I had trouble sleeping while eating too little dietary fat. For me, eating more nuts and seeds, scattered across the day, greatly helped.

[Herbsman]

I struggle to get into bed in the first place. I find it hard to make myself go to bed until I actually feel tired, which is often some time after 12am. This is obviously problematic when I have to get up at 5:30 for an early shift at work. I think the problem is the late shifts. I'm used to having lots of time to do stuff after a day at work, but when I don't get home til 7:30pm it's a bit difficult to find the will power to go to bed at 10:30.

[XkillerX]

Find somebody in the neighbourhood who has a really shitty car with horrible bearings and ask them to push them around in the car a bit.

And dont be a little wuss, push that fucking car like you need to jump start it!!!

Keep going several times until you literally cant push anymore.

Then somehow drag yourself back to your place, enter bed, enjoy best and longest sleep in a long while.

[shellie]

Set your alarm to get you up ridiculously early every day. Exercise - sometimes exercising right before bed stops you sleeping so maybe do this earlier in the day, maybe take advantage of the early start. Do not drink caffeine late in the day.
When you go to bed think about pleasant things and relax.

[cobalamin]

http://www.qanc.com/10-vitamin.pdf

Vitamin B12 and Insomnia

People often report improved sleep with Vitamin B12. Melatonin is a
chemical secreted from the pineal gland that tells the brain to go to
sleep. Vitamin B12 influences melatonin secretion.

[Catt Queen]

ZMA

[IsmailaGodHasHeard]

You might need to see a doctor about this. Insomnia can be a symptom of a bigger problem.

[Hiking Fox]

Light levels have a massive impact on sleep patterns.

Lower the lighting levels for an hour or so before going to bed and avoid looking at TV or computer screens.

[alexander]

Just have a proper exercise, it can help you to fell asleep.