Sleepless in Dallas...

[dyemundluv]

Where is Tom Hanks when you need him?

Since starting raw I haven't slept all through the night. For example, last night...went to bed at 9pm, thought I would get a head start. Yeah right! I must have fell asleep around 10:30, woke up at midnight, again at 3:30 and up at 5:30. Each time I wake up I'm extremely alert. What's up with that!?? I'm even lying the bed right now, figuring I will get some much needed rest. NOT! I'm up and posting this blog...and to boot my legs are killing me. Slight pain here and little there. I feel like an old women. A few weeks ago, I sprained my left ankle dancing (oh, honey...I'm smooth baby :mad: ); and my ankle feels slightly better but now both legs are hurting.

Is the live food so alive that's it's keeping my cells/mind/body from sleeping? If so, that's is way too alive for me!

Anyone else experience sleep disturbances, and off-the-wall aches?

Do share.

[sunflowery]

Hi Dyemundluv, welcome welcome
yeah, I had similar not-sleep-at-all experience. I think is a good sign, raw food is giving you alot of energy. However meditation could help, it works pretty much for me.
I practice this meditation http://www.santmat.net/

I hope you feel better soon ;)

[MagicalDaze]

It could definitely be a detox symptom. For me, the more I'm detoxing, the less I sleep :( Good luck!!

[dyemundluv]

It's 1:52 am here, and I'm up on a SATURDAY MORNING. I know it wouldn't be so bad if I lived in England (their day is already under way), but this is not cool.

I want to sleep. :(

[GoingtoRAW]

dyemunluv,

I agree with others - it could be detox. When I first started raw and my body started to detox I found myself waking up in the middle of the night very wide awake and full of energy. I couldn't get back to sleep by lying in bed and just wanting to go back to sleep or by reading or watching TV. I would have to go ahead and get out of bed and do a little activity for maybe 1/2 hour up to 2 hours, usually doing a load of laundry and cleaning something would do the trick - nothing heavy duty just something to get me moving around a little bit. For me it always had to do with finding something to clean. With children in the house that is never a problem. I just feel like it was more cleansing related to detoxing my entire life not just my body. So after a little physical activity my body would let me know - "ok, it's time to go back to sleep now" and I would lie down and sleep would come easily. Then when it was time to actually get up and start my day I would wake up easily and with a lot of energy. I decided to just enjoy it - it beats following a SAD diet and being lethargic and tired and grumpy all day. Right?

[dyemundluv]

I agree GoingtoRaw.

I just wonder if this will continue for the duration of my raw experience. I would just love to get 5-6 hours of sleep in one setting...maybe with time it will come. Some people on this board say they experienced terrible sleeping patterns on SAD, that was never the case with me. I slept all night, and felt rested in the morning. However, for the last couple of years I didn't like looking in the mirror when I finally did wake up.

On raw maybe I will have the pleasure of being the person I have always wanted to be, and looking at her at least 3x's during the night. :o

I'm going to lay back down now. Blessings.

[Raine]

And when life gives you lemons you make lemonade and then find someone whom life gave vodka and have yourself a party!

But on a serious note, yes, I also agree it's a sign of detox. The good sign is that Dallas does have a decent night life -- Ghost Bar, Cuba Libre, etc. Depending upon the time and the day, trust me, there's always something going on here!

Another option, join Lifetime Fitness and go work out or swim at 3am.

[Lay-Lay]

Dried Marshmellow a little ginger and warm water (1 cup) relaxes me so much I can't help but to go to sleep.

[sunflowery]

Hi again,
well I know everyone is different, but my personal experience is that I need lees hours of sleep since raw. I'm 5 months raw (7 years vegetarian, 3 weeks vegan :P), and now I only need 4 hours of sleep, but it depends: when I'm in a detox period I need more rest.
I feel full of energy most of the time.

I found this information, it could be helpful :)
http://www.living-foods.com/articles/troubleshooting.html

I'm hyper sometimes and can't sleep. - although many raw fooders are mellow people, the diet provides substantial energy which must be burned some way - meditation and hatha yoga can be very helpful here - regular exercise can be helpful - slow, deep breathing, and simply concentrating on the breath, is very calming - evaluate your life for stress factors - reduce stress - if due to hunger, see also the "I'm always hungry" section - herbs with a sedative action are available, including the commonly available chamomile tea (many other herbs are available, see holistic health prof. for recommendation) - long-term 100% raw, restricted diets (e.g., fruitarianism), may place one at risk of nervous system disorders, which can disrupt sleep - if problem persists, see qualified health professional.

[goodbeets]

I haven't had a lot of sleeplessness due to raw, I have had it due to 3 young children!!! I take an herb called Ashwaganda root. It's ayervedic (Indian) and works great. I never have had any side effects, I can wake up many times due to kid nightmares, wet the bed, etc. and I fall right back to sleep with no A.M. grogginess. It is available in capsule or tincture. I highly reccomend it but if you lack of sleep doesn't effect your day light energy, go with it!!

[dyemundluv]

Thanks everyone for the kind words of wisdom.

The first few days raw, I had an very natural energy spike. By the middle of the week I looked like a train hit me, in addition to sleep disburances and just a mild form of energy...nothing off the wall, just my mind saying "you know what? I would like more sleep", but my body saying "but you don't really need it, why don't you get up?"

...and me cursing them both. :D