Prolonged post-workout anxiety

Jeff Hendrix · 09-02-2009, 09:23 AM

First off, I deal with a ton of anxiety as is (I'm taking medicine to go to sleep at night). Three weeks ago, I began training regularly with a local weightlifting club. In that time, I've noticed that I seem to have significantly more trouble falling asleep at night. We work out on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and I am having more trouble falling asleep on these nights and the next. Monday night was no more difficult than usual this week, but last night was tough.

I don't want to stop training, but I kind of noticed this at the end of the summer as well. I took a couple of weeks off and actually cut back my dosage on sleep medicine for a while. But once I started training again, I had to go back to normal (and sometimes a kittle more). I love weightlifting, but I don't know what I can do if my body is disagreeing with it. Any clues towards a response to this situation?

Steven Low · 09-02-2009, 10:14 AM

Do you amp yourself up to lift?

How long is it before you go to sleep?

You take any other supplements?

What kind of diet are you on?

etc. Need a lot more info dude

Mike ODonnell · 09-02-2009, 03:42 PM

Activating the CNS is just going to turn up the volume on any other issues.....like anxiety.

I'm sure you know this....but all stimulants have to go (no caffeine or sugar)

Also having more down time (or relaxing activities) may be a better hobby to tackle....as I've never seen anyone wound up after a yoga class.

Jeff Hendrix · 09-02-2009, 09:20 PM

Steven, I don't do any growling before lifts or anything. Tuesdays and Thursdays are from 6-8:00 pm, but Saturdays are from 10 am - 12 noon. I don't think my problems are correlated with the time so much. I think accumulating fatigue may be more of the issue, as it was the worst it's been on Saturday night this last week.

I don't take any other supplements. My diet is not great (nor has it been since the beginning of summer, but it's not terrible, and I'm noticing the increased stress after going from two weeks off to 3-day-per-week Olifting with basically the same diet (actually, it is a little bit better as of the last couple if weeks).

I did purchase some Fatigued to Fantastic! Adrenal Stress End this morning and noticed a reasonable calming effect about 45 minutes after taking it. Maybe a few weeks of this stuff could get me a little healthier.

And I just can't see myself switching from Olifting to yoga.

Mike ODonnell · 09-03-2009, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Hendrix

And I just can't see myself switching from Olifting to yoga.

Yeah...I couldn't do it either. But....find relaxing activities such as walking, hiking, riding a bike....etc....fun stuff you enjoy that doesn't overload your "stress" response. What you eat plays a huge role in how your body responds...so keep track and see what things really set you off....and then you will know to avoid them. That and sleep....plenty of it.

Scott Kustes · 09-03-2009, 07:34 AM

Find a hobby that relaxes you. I have three non-active things I do in the evenings after work: drumming, reading, working crossword puzzles.

And the other stuff in this thread too.

Garrett Smith · 09-03-2009, 02:16 PM

Lifting at night generally equals poor sleep. Sorry.

Cortisol needs to drop to low levels for good sleep. Lifting elevates cortisol levels. High levels of anxiety generally mean imbalanced (could be high or low) cortisol levels from "normal".

You might try taking some phosphorylated serine (aka SeriPhos, and no I don't mean phosphatidylserine, these are different things) after your workout and before bed to dampen any cortisol elevations you are causing by working out at night. If you'd like my help in obtaining this, you are welcome to PM me, I utilize it in my practice.