Help with sleeping...

[bikediva]

Hi all,

Well, after another week of fasting, I slipped up this morning. and it's clear to me why.

I worked last night, a 14-hour shift, then got home at 7am. I was EXHAUSTED. I made a smoothie, and went to bed. Then, at around 10am, I woke up and felt anxious, and could not get back to sleep. I had a headache, felt like I was going through withdrawal, and had had weird dreams about my ex-boyfriend.

So...I got up to make tea, and when that didn't make me feel better, my brain went to, well, you know a load of refined carbs will make you pass out. So, tired and feeling tormented, I medicated. And it worked. I slept like a dream until 4pm today. Then...I woke up with the thick head and anger at myself!

Anyone have any suggestions about what I can do differently? Juicing is not an option right now, and I've been drinking 2-3 green smoothies a day.

I need help so I don't do the same thing again! Thanks guys! :)

[LaVitaLauren]

I'm sorry you feel so upset about this... I've certainly been there. Don't beat yourself up. Best of luck to you. Wish I had more insight, but I CAN empathize. xoLauren

[skier2]

Hi all,

Well, after another week of fasting, I slipped up this morning. and it's clear to me why.

I worked last night, a 14-hour shift, then got home at 7am. I was EXHAUSTED. I made a smoothie, and went to bed. Then, at around 10am, I woke up and felt anxious, and could not get back to sleep. I had a headache, felt like I was going through withdrawal, and had had weird dreams about my ex-boyfriend.

So...I got up to make tea, and when that didn't make me feel better, my brain went to, well, you know a load of refined carbs will make you pass out. So, tired and feeling tormented, I medicated. And it worked. I slept like a dream until 4pm today. Then...I woke up with the thick head and anger at myself!

Anyone have any suggestions about what I can do differently? Juicing is not an option right now, and I've been drinking 2-3 green smoothies a day.

I need help so I don't do the same thing again! Thanks guys! :)

I would say that if you woke up and felt anxious, something was bothering you, so if it happens again you can think about what is really bothering you and realize that stuffing yourself really only stuffs your emotions, which will inevitable resurface, probably more violently and unpleasantly.

You might be going through withdrawal, in which case you must recognize and embrace that fact, and rather than letting it bother you, consider it an accomplishment and an ode to your body. As Revvell once said: "If you don't like an e-mail, you delete it. So if you don't like something in your life, you can delete that too" or something along those lines.

Don't let your past or your hesitations about the future or any small and insignificant insecurities inhibit you from being true to your new and rejuvenated self.

[donnyandcathy]

I juiced celery tonight, and let me tell you, it really makes you feel sleepy, better than melatonin.
I juiced 3 stalks with one apple, and within 30 min. I'm ready to go to bed (which I will, so I can get to bed before midnight, which is one of my goals)

Try it and see if it will help, it tasted REALLY good too.

Sweet dreams ;)

[bikediva]

Thanks, guys. It's just so easy to get frustrated because some people are so consistent with fasting, and I've had slip ups. Next time I feel like eating, I will jump on here right away and see what comes up...

[donnyandcathy]

The celery juice really worked!!
I'm someone that has insomnia, and severe sleep apnea on top of that.
I drank the celery/apple juice, and I slept like a baby till I had to get up and go to the bathroom ;) But I don't even remember falling asleep it was so quick.
Maybe it's just me, but give it a try. I know I will be having some every night before bed, and it tasted really good too, helped calm my cravings.

[sport]

There are web sites that give practical advise to shift workers on how best to sleep and the least disruptive things to do. I recall looking it up before for another thread.
Google and you will find lots of good suggestions.

[OnMyJourney]

The celery juice really worked!!
I'm someone that has insomnia, and severe sleep apnea on top of that.
I drank the celery/apple juice, and I slept like a baby till I had to get up and go to the bathroom ;) But I don't even remember falling asleep it was so quick.
Maybe it's just me, but give it a try. I know I will be having some every night before bed, and it tasted really good too, helped calm my cravings.

I suffered from insomnia for many, many years until I began on raw foods. But there are times, like over the summer and now when I've been off of work for two days (following a weekend) due to snow and ice and I've been up at night simply because I can be and now my body is off schedule. I anticipate having some difficulty when it's time to go back to work so I'm going to try this! Thanks for the tip.

[bikediva]

Wow, OMJ, so raw foods helped with your insomnia?! Amazing! I thought it would make it more difficult to sleep because I'd have too much energy. Definitely trying the celery juice tonight...seems a little far-fetched, but worth a try. I'm def. back on track today, btw.

[bikediva]

I just realized that last post was #100. I'm into the triple digits!!! :)

[OnMyJourney]

Wow, OMJ, so raw foods helped with your insomnia?! Amazing! I thought it would make it more difficult to sleep because I'd have too much energy. Definitely trying the celery juice tonight...seems a little far-fetched, but worth a try. I'm def. back on track today, btw.


I started raw foods after the master cleanse. I totally believe that removing the build up of toxins (and in a fairly fast fashion by starting with the master cleanse) helped to heal me of that. I do find that I have lots more energy, but I balance that out by simply using it. I make sure I build more activity into my day to use of the extra energy so it doesn't keep me awake. The more raw food days that pass in my life, the better I sleep. This from a woman who went so long without sleep, had taken so much medicine, that I was literally in tears, sobbing and physically could not take a step because my body was so exhausted, yet it would not shut down and let me rest. I thank God for raw food, it has been amazing for me!

[OnMyJourney]

I just realized that last post was #100. I'm into the triple digits!!! :)

w00t w00t! Congratulations! :D

[bikediva]

Gosh, that is completely amazing! I've been a horrible insomniac for years; even when I was cycling 100 miles a day on my bike tour, I couldn't sleep! It is SO encouraging to hear from someone who has overcome that. How long did you do the MC for, and did you go 100% raw right after? How long until you noticed you could sleep?

Honestly, I should list insomnia as my number one health problem, and if going raw would heal only this, it would be completely worth it.

[EternityRider]

Sometimes I take valerian root capsules. Five of those really help.
Also melatonin (best deal on that from Trader Joes).
The body produces melotonin. :cool:

[OnMyJourney]

Gosh, that is completely amazing! I've been a horrible insomniac for years; even when I was cycling 100 miles a day on my bike tour, I couldn't sleep! It is SO encouraging to hear from someone who has overcome that. How long did you do the MC for, and did you go 100% raw right after? How long until you noticed you could sleep?

Honestly, I should list insomnia as my number one health problem, and if going raw would heal only this, it would be completely worth it.


I did the master cleanse for 12 days and began high raw right afterwards, but most of my days I'm 100%. If I had to guess, I'd say 85% of the time (from the first of November until now) has been 100% raw. Starting out I did "raw til dinner" which was vegan, but cooked (aside from a huge salad) and I just phased that cooked part out.

On day 3 or 4 of the master cleanse I started to rest soooo much better. Sleep was effortless and I woke up feeling rested. :eek: It was a feeling I hadn't experienced in YEARS! I was beyond thrilled!!