Anonymous
01/13/2026 07:35
Subject: how much is sleep related to overall health?
I need you to be completely honest and tell us how much is this completely out of your hands and how much is this you making poor choices.
I have a friend who whines about how tired she is all the time, but she regularly stays up until crazy late hours watching TV or playing on her phone. She drinks caffeine late into the day. She sleeps in sometimes, wakes up early when she has to, is just absolutely all over the place. If I try to suggest good sleep hygiene practices she waves me off and says I don’t know what I’m talking about.
So…where are you? What have you tried so far? How long have you tried it?
I have a friend who whines about how tired she is all the time, but she regularly stays up until crazy late hours watching TV or playing on her phone. She drinks caffeine late into the day. She sleeps in sometimes, wakes up early when she has to, is just absolutely all over the place. If I try to suggest good sleep hygiene practices she waves me off and says I don’t know what I’m talking about.
So…where are you? What have you tried so far? How long have you tried it?
Anonymous
01/13/2026 07:25
Subject: how much is sleep related to overall health?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Different people get by on different amounts of sleep.
I have to wake up at 6am every morning and feel much better when I’m in bed by 8, 9 at the latest.
I take an OTC sleeping pill every night, so even if I wake up every hour or so to turn over, I have no problems going back to sleep.
Sleeping pill sleep is not the same as real sleep for your health.
And how is it different? There are many different types of “sleeping pills”. Please explain.
Also I have never felt more rested than after propofol induced sleep!
The PP had said she takes OTC sleep aids nightly. Sleep induced by OTC antihistamines is generally regarded as less restorative than real sleep. Also, you tend to build up a tolerance to those and take more, making the sleep even less healthy. You probably needed the rest that propofol gave you, but that doesn't mean you should take it daily...
I don’t think it’s ideal to take sleep meds on a daily basis, but for those of us who do struggle with sleep I can guarantee the sleep I get with sleep meds is more restorative than the sleep I wouldn’t be getting without them. But to say “sleeping pill sleep is not the same as real sleep for your health” is over simplifying and just assuming you can sleep without them. I’ve had long conversations with my doctor and decided the benefits of a good nights rest outweigh the risks for me
(Ambien).
Anonymous
01/13/2026 06:43
Subject: how much is sleep related to overall health?
Anonymous wrote:I think adequate amounts of high-quality, uninterrupted sleep is the most important thing you can do for your health. Yes, this is almost certainly what's causing your problems.
What are your blockers to a good night's sleep?
I'd start with a regular, semi-early bedtime, with a phone bedtime (charging in a different room) of an hour before. 7 hours before you have to get up is probably a good starting point. So if you're up at 7am, your phone is charging in the kitchen at 11pm, not to be touched until the next day, you finish up your chores, get ready for bed, and get in bed at 11:30pm to read, lights off at midnight.
My guess is this will completely change your life.
Thanks for the life changing advice, Captain Obvious.
Anonymous
01/13/2026 06:42
Subject: how much is sleep related to overall health?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
I haven't had regular sleep for years and haven't felt good for years either. I feel like I am on survival mode all the time and spend time looking into vitamins etc. I don't really want to accept that it might be the sleep.
my circadian rhythm is all over the place and some nights I get 3 hours, other nights 2 and on Saturdays I'll get 9h.
Is regular sleep key here?
The key to circadian rhythm is early morning sunshine, 3 meals at regular times of day (breakfast within an hour of waking, lunch at a normal time and dinner by 7ish), go to sleep between 9-11 and wake 6-7. Dim lights in the evening, and no blue light after 7 pm. Limited use of caffeine - max 1-2 cups before lunch. Try to avoid artificial sleep inducers & alcohol. Get blackout curtains or a sleep mask. Make sure the house is a bit colder at night.
If you haven't had regular sleep in years, and don't feel good, do see the doctor and investigate - sleep apnea, thyroid, anemia, parathyroid (vitamin D, PTH and Ca) and urinary tract issues (if you are waking to pee in the middle of sleep).
I did go see a doctor. It’s menopause. Nothing they can do for sleep except sleep aids.
These threads saying you just need to do this this and this are…frustrating.
Anonymous
01/12/2026 20:33
Subject: how much is sleep related to overall health?
Anonymous wrote:
I haven't had regular sleep for years and haven't felt good for years either. I feel like I am on survival mode all the time and spend time looking into vitamins etc. I don't really want to accept that it might be the sleep.
my circadian rhythm is all over the place and some nights I get 3 hours, other nights 2 and on Saturdays I'll get 9h.
Is regular sleep key here?
The key to circadian rhythm is early morning sunshine, 3 meals at regular times of day (breakfast within an hour of waking, lunch at a normal time and dinner by 7ish), go to sleep between 9-11 and wake 6-7. Dim lights in the evening, and no blue light after 7 pm. Limited use of caffeine - max 1-2 cups before lunch. Try to avoid artificial sleep inducers & alcohol. Get blackout curtains or a sleep mask. Make sure the house is a bit colder at night.
If you haven't had regular sleep in years, and don't feel good, do see the doctor and investigate - sleep apnea, thyroid, anemia, parathyroid (vitamin D, PTH and Ca) and urinary tract issues (if you are waking to pee in the middle of sleep).
Anonymous
01/12/2026 14:53
Subject: how much is sleep related to overall health?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Different people get by on different amounts of sleep.
I have to wake up at 6am every morning and feel much better when I’m in bed by 8, 9 at the latest.
I take an OTC sleeping pill every night, so even if I wake up every hour or so to turn over, I have no problems going back to sleep.
Sleeping pill sleep is not the same as real sleep for your health.
And how is it different? There are many different types of “sleeping pills”. Please explain.
Also I have never felt more rested than after propofol induced sleep!
The PP had said she takes OTC sleep aids nightly. Sleep induced by OTC antihistamines is generally regarded as less restorative than real sleep. Also, you tend to build up a tolerance to those and take more, making the sleep even less healthy. You probably needed the rest that propofol gave you, but that doesn't mean you should take it daily...
Anonymous
01/12/2026 14:46
Subject: how much is sleep related to overall health?
I think adequate amounts of high-quality, uninterrupted sleep is the most important thing you can do for your health. Yes, this is almost certainly what's causing your problems.
What are your blockers to a good night's sleep?
I'd start with a regular, semi-early bedtime, with a phone bedtime (charging in a different room) of an hour before. 7 hours before you have to get up is probably a good starting point. So if you're up at 7am, your phone is charging in the kitchen at 11pm, not to be touched until the next day, you finish up your chores, get ready for bed, and get in bed at 11:30pm to read, lights off at midnight.
My guess is this will completely change your life.
What are your blockers to a good night's sleep?
I'd start with a regular, semi-early bedtime, with a phone bedtime (charging in a different room) of an hour before. 7 hours before you have to get up is probably a good starting point. So if you're up at 7am, your phone is charging in the kitchen at 11pm, not to be touched until the next day, you finish up your chores, get ready for bed, and get in bed at 11:30pm to read, lights off at midnight.
My guess is this will completely change your life.
Anonymous
01/12/2026 14:46
Subject: how much is sleep related to overall health?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Different people get by on different amounts of sleep.
I have to wake up at 6am every morning and feel much better when I’m in bed by 8, 9 at the latest.
I take an OTC sleeping pill every night, so even if I wake up every hour or so to turn over, I have no problems going back to sleep.
Sleeping pill sleep is not the same as real sleep for your health.
And how is it different? There are many different types of “sleeping pills”. Please explain.
Also I have never felt more rested than after propofol induced sleep!
That didn’t work out so well for Michael Jackson
Anonymous
01/12/2026 14:41
Subject: how much is sleep related to overall health?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Different people get by on different amounts of sleep.
I have to wake up at 6am every morning and feel much better when I’m in bed by 8, 9 at the latest.
I take an OTC sleeping pill every night, so even if I wake up every hour or so to turn over, I have no problems going back to sleep.
Sleeping pill sleep is not the same as real sleep for your health.
And how is it different? There are many different types of “sleeping pills”. Please explain.
Also I have never felt more rested than after propofol induced sleep!
Anonymous
01/12/2026 14:30
Subject: how much is sleep related to overall health?
Sleep, nutrition, and exercise are the three foundations of help--I think sleep is number 1 and I prioritize it.