Sleep is very important for gaining muscle and losing bodyfat, but I have a big problem, I have autism, and a lot of autistic people have sleeping problems, and I'm one of them.
Sometimes I simply cannot sleep, no matter what, I will be up all night, and I can't do anything about it. I do not take any kind of stimulants and I do all the things you're supposed to do to attempt to sleep properly, but the autism takes over, and sleep becomes impossible, no matter how tired I am.
I have been this way my entire life, so the question is, how can I get around this? The advice I've been given by my Psychologist about sleep hygiene helps only a little, but it doesn't do much at all when the autism kicks in and my body simply will not sleep.
That's absurd. What is it specifically about autism that causes you to not sleep?
Brody Wright
I will be tired, ready to sleep, I get into bed, and for some reason my brain is going at 1000km/hour thinking about some random facts or dates, and despite being exhausted I will be well awake and unable to shut off.
Xavier Cook
Look into melanin. I've heard other aspies having good experiences with it. Maybe try something like playing repetitive sounds like waves, or music. Focus on those sounds before you try to sleep. I know an aspie that plays an audio book to help her sleep.
It's pretty common to have sleep and other nervous disorders with autism.
Landon Barnes
Melatonin×× sorry. Not melanin.
Jose Wright
whew here goes, wall of text.
Sleep hygiene top tips:
1. set an alarm for bedtime and wake time. 8 hours inbetween. Every day man, no weekend lay-ins. 2. one hour before your sleep time cut out strong light sources, specifically blue LED light from TVs, computers etc. 3. Make sure the temperature in your bedroom is right for sleeping, somewhere around 17C. 4. If you're struggling to sleep for more than 15 minutes, get up and repeat 2).
2) is the one people don't want to do for some reason. Here's some stuff you can do in that time that doesn't need a screen; read, listen to music, audiobooks, fapping to printed out porn, whatever you get the idea. No screens or bright lights.
Never adjust your bedtime/wake time unless you have to. If you have a bad night, nap a small amount during the day (not after 3PM - this might interfere with your nighttime sleep).
If you're still struggling to get to sleep after a month of following this RELIGIOUSLY it's time to go to the doctor -- CBT is effective for sleep-onset insomnia and won't create a sleeping pill addiction
Eli Moore
I was diagnosed with Autism at a young age. What I've found that actually helps is I've been on a strict diet of taco salads. I'm losing 5-6 pounds per week, and I feel great. I substitute ground turkey for fattier ground beef.
Colton Jackson
We don't know, but sleeping disorders are very prevalent among people with some kind of mental/cognitive problems, including autism
Jason Williams
I have issues with falling asleep at times. What I've found that helps is to put an audiobook on and lie in the darkness until you find yourself not taking in any of the information due to sleepiness, then take your headphones and sleep.
