Originally Posted by
MinnMan
I can't be the only one in the 50+ crowd who has trouble getting a good night's sleep.
Exercise helps a lot. If I ride 40-100 miles on a given day, I'm probably going to sleep pretty well. In fact, improved sleep is one of the many great benefits I get from cycling.
But on rest days, getting a good night's sleep is a challenge. Assuming I get to sleep, staying asleep through the night is not easy.
I'm not totally sedentary on my rest days. I walk a lot and I probably ride a few miles commuting to work or doing errands. but it's not enough to make me physically tired
Interested to hear how others deal with this challenge.
(To anticiapte the advice that I haven't requested, no, I don't have sleep apnea, yes I sometimes take melatonin, but it isn't a panacea for me.)
I've always had sleep issues, just too much going on in my mind... Meditation has helped, but some evenings even meditation finds me rebounding back to very active mind.
Melatonin is about a 35-40% solution - so not great.
One thing does work 95%+
Costco Sleep Aid
I was alerted to this by a climbing partner back in 2018, we were doing trek to Everest and then planning an ascent of 'Island Peak' - a 20K footer near Everest.
Once over 15,000 ft, sleep, of any kind is a difficult, unsettled and short term thing. I was desperate - friend gave me a sleep aid tab (and small supply to get me thru the coming 2 weeks). Told me to take 1/2 tab. WORKED a Charm ! Was able to get 5 1/2 - 6 hrs - most one can expect at altitude...
Ever since, if I anticipate some longterm getting to sleep, or reasonable sleep term issues, I take 1/3 tab - I can break into 3rds using my finger nail, now rarely 1/2 tab (but occasionally...)
NO grogginess or doped-up feeling on waking, no ill effects of any time, usually has me nodding off in 10-15 min.
Ride On
Yuri