Why can't I sleep

United States
June 4, 2010 4:36am CST
Hello fellow mylotters. I began walking for exercise a few weeks ago. Even though I was very tired I woke up very early and could not go back to sleep. Today I went to the gym for the first time in years. I worked out over an hour on the machines, then when I got home I rested and took a walk, about five miles. I was soo tired as the evening drew on, so of course I went to bed. About four hours later, I am now wide awake. Why is it when I exercise I have difficulty getting enough sleep? Does this happen to you as well?
6 responses
@sushie93 (1355)
• France
4 Jun 10
I'm glad you start this discussion, i find difficulties to sleep also however i don't do sport. I read that if you do sport after 17am, you will have difficulty to sleep because sport bring energy (even if it is tiring also), the body has too munch energy it is why it can't sleep the night. So you must do sport before 17am. It would be cool if anybody can give tips to sleep also. u_u
1 person likes this
@sushie93 (1355)
• France
5 Jun 10
Euh sorry i think it is 5 pm xD. When it is the night when people finish their work, not the morning xD. I always do mistake with am and pm...
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Jun 10
lol! That's ok. Everyone goofs every now and again. I still can't get my Left and Right correct and always confuse the two. Really fun while someone else is driving and depending on me for directions! lol.
• United States
5 Jun 10
Thank you for that information. However, I do not know what is 17 am? Is it 5 am in US time? If so, then I will have to exercise much after that. lol! 5 am is too early. Happy Mylotting!
@Bellapop (1279)
4 Jul 10
That is a lot of exercise in one day particularly if you're not used to such a regime generally in your everyday life. Doing the hour in the gyn should have been enough but then 5 miles as well in the evening it does affect your system, and it goes into a bit of a shock....and from the exhaustion it does affect your sleep...but don't worry, just give your body time to recover and no more exercise for today! :)
• United States
5 Jul 10
I have not exercised much since then, particularly because the shoes I have to exercise are already worn out and hurt my feet. I had one old pair I took to the gym, and one pair for walking outside. The old pair was hit a long time ago and my feet, legs and back hurt from them. My walking shoes aren't that bad yet, but I just got them in April! They only held out about 2 months and now even standing for a little while makes my legs and feet hurt. Until I get a couple more pairs of shoes it is probably not a good idea to walk or go to the gym. I am sad. I did not know about the shock to the body. I guess that makes sense now that you have brought that to my attention. Thank you for teaching me something today.
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
4 Jun 10
Dont worry Rose. It will go away. What's happening is your body isnt used to you using up all this energy so it reacts. I walk to and from work daily its about 3 miles. When I got there I would take care of my patient. Towards the end I would feel tired. Then when I got home, took a shower, try to rest, my body did the opposite. I used it to my advantage I did alot of things I had been putting off. Then about 4 days later I started sleeping through the night. Your body is adjusting to the extra energy your creating. In all reality your body is getting healthier. Once it gets used to it, you'll have more energy and probably need less sleep. SO DONT PANIC! It will adjust. Just work with it not against it. GOOD LUCK and whatever you do DONT stop walking. Its the best excercise of all. Second only to swimming. These use the most muscles. Happy Walking my friend dl
• United States
5 Jun 10
Thank you for your response and the encouragement to keep it up. I find I do seem to have more energy and just keep going and going like the energizer bunny. lol. I walked a long ways today and also rode my bike. Tomorrow if I get up early enough I will hit the gym again. Providing I can sleep through the night until morning. Happy Mylotting!
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
7 Jun 10
Because it wakes you up?
• United States
8 Jun 10
sleep.........wakes me up? lolol!
@apples99 (6556)
• United States
4 Jun 10
That has not happen to me in fact I sleep better when I exercise before bed but everyone's body's and sleep patterns respond differently to exercise I guess, though I'm not a doctor.
• United States
5 Jun 10
Wow, you are the only one out of all the responses that gets better sleep. That is good. Exercise and sleep are very important to the body. Thank you for your input. Happy Mylotting!
@jinerz (6)
4 Jun 10
YUpp, it too does happen to me, it is just my opinion, i think that the muscles are adjusting to the weight of the exercise in your body thus, making it unable to relax that's why you cant sleep... hope it helps
• United States
5 Jun 10
Thank you. I am so tired right now! lol. I exercised some more today. Definitely I will take a calcium/magnesium/zinc tablet tonight to help relax my muscles. Thank you for your response!