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Sleep Issues

Chook

Chook

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Yorkshire
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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People who think they know everything.
Anyone else noticed any problems or changes to their sleeping patterns since they started low carbing?

Before I started low carbing I used to need 8 hours (if on a day off or holiday) or 10 hours (if I was on night shift). But slowly my sleep requirements seem to be changing and I've also gone on to working only day shifts. At the moment I seem to only need 6 and a half to 7 hours sleep and occasionally it can be as low as just 4 hours. The first time i happened I was very worried about how I would manage to get through a shift at work as, in my job, you really needs to have your wits about you - but I needn't have worried as I felt and coped fine and didn't feel the need for an early night the next night.

My DN hasn't heard of this so I'm wondering if any of you might be expriencing the same and I'm also keen to know if it will continue or will I go back to my 8 hours a night??

Sarah
 
My sleep has reduced a little but if you are low carbing your body will not need as much sleep as it's not working so hard. I think.
 
It could just be the fact you have gone onto days now so you don't need the extra sleep. Shifts often make you feel more tired and thus need more sleep as your brain gets confused with everything and your time clock gets all messed up. I low carb and thrive on less sleep too....don't think it is anything to worry about :)
 
I'm not really worried. I don't think its the move from nights to days as I had a three week holiday after finishing nights before starting days and I still needed 8 hours a night even at the end of the holiday. It was only about a month after I started low carbing that I found I was sleeping less and getting a better quality of sleep. No getting up in the night to pop to the loo any more.
 
6-7 hours a night is sufficient for most adults, as long as it's quality sleep it should be enough. When I worked nights when my children were little I'd often get by on 4-5 hours.
 
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