Two things,

1. We’ve got another weird-looking rainbow this morning.
2. Yesterday’s workout was pretty good.
3. I suck at sleeping.

(Also, I may or may not have forgotten my work computer at home — again) 🫠

@Gaby what is this app? 👀

@numericcitizen Pillow

@Gaby @maique Honest question: How have these sleep tracking apps improved your sleep? I just started wearing a tracker that includes good sleep tracking metrics but I have no clue as to how that information can be turned into changes in behavior. (Other than obvious stuff like going to bed and waking up at consistent times.)

@vincent it has been months, perhaps a year, or even more. My doctor prescribed stuff for that but they have stopped working for me. My mind just wont stop.

@vincent @gaby +1 to Vincent’s suggestion if it’s racing mind that keeps you up. Other things you might’ve tried already: therapy, meditation, cold shower before bed, and no devices/screens 1hr before you want to hit the hay.

@gregmoore Just chiming in to say wearing an apple watch to track my sleep has been helpful for me because I wasn’t aware of how little sleep I was actually getting. I was in bed 7-9 hours a night but only sleeping average 4-5. So I’ve made some adjustments now that I know I’m not sleeping nearly enough. Before, I estimated my sleep based off of time in bed and really had no idea why I was tired all the time.

@numericcitizen LOL! This is such a Micro.blog first comment 😝

@Annie That’s a really helpful idea actually. Actual sleep vs perceived sleep is a helpful metric.

@maique I’ve heard that a lot about tattoos and sensors. I’m uninked so my issue is just making sure the watch isn’t sitting on my wrist bone.

@Gaby wow, that’s rough.

@humdrum Mrs.Gaby is not gonna appreciate the cold shower before bed @Gaby

@Annie I have entered that phase of life where morning alarms aren’t required. I find my natural sleep need is about 6 hours. Maybe you need more than 4-5, but not all the way to 7-9? And, how do you manage a house filled with children and still manage to be in bed 7-9 hours? I am
In awe!

@vincent alcohol is a known sleep quality killer for sure.

@vincent @Gaby +1’ing Vincent’s suggestion (again)—booze is detrimental to good sleep (not that I don’t still partake 😝), but taking a break to try to get sleep right might be a good idea. The 3hr rule is great but given your 1:30 of sleep, something more drastic might be needed, at least to start.

@vincent @humdrum @gaby Agree about the beer advice. We think it makes us drowsy and we may even fall asleep quickly but the sleep quality is terrible as any sleep app will show you (tossing and turning, etc.)

@Gaby More trouble falling asleep or staying asleep?

@mbkriegh I look forward to a time without morning alarms! I’m not a night person so my brain is naturally shutting down after 8pm and I’m usually in bed by 9, before my kids go to bed. How much sleep I need – I don’t know anymore. I was a pretty consistent 6 hours/night person for years and that worked for me. But after a hysterectomy, my hormones + basically everything about my body is different. So I’m still figuring out what is sustainable and trying to adjust my habits so I get that.

@Annie I am on similar bedtime schedule but get up 6 hours later. My wife struggled with sleep when she went through menopause. No hysterectomy for her. She’s back to a better sleep pattern now and swears by sam-e as a sleep aid. Hope you get your sleep rhythms back soon!

@mbkriegh @Annie both my wife and I have sleep problems because of restless leg syndrome and general anxiety. she’s taking prescription pills that work sometimes. I’ve been trying cannabis edibles and they make me sleep like a baby.

@wrenman potassium+magnesium really my restless leg syndrome during pregnancy. And agree on cannabis. My current routine is melatonin then a thc+cbd combo. It’s working pretty well

@Annie *relieved

@wrenman @Annie I like the cannibis edibles solution! Looking forward to retail shops in NYS.

@mbkriegh @Annie cannabis is such a miracle herb. it’s helped me reduce my alcohol consumption, reduced my anxiety and helped me sleep so much better. I’m eagerly waiting for it to be legalized in pa

@wrenman @mbkriegh completely agree. And such a better alternative to so many prescription sleep aids or anxiety meds imo

@Gaby From a research perspective - what seems to work best (relative to medication ) is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. Might ask your doctor if they know a local psychologist who works patients on that (though maybe you’ve already done it - I don’t know). Best wishes!