Intermittent Fasting: Can’t Sleep to Save My Life!!
Is intermittent fasting keeping you up at night? I guess it makes sense that if food = sleepy, then intermittent fasting = can’t sleep!!
So yeah, this post is for all my fellow fasters who are struggling with a bit of INSOMNIA when they fast. If you fast and you don’t have sleep problems, then that’s great!
But if you’re wide-awake and praying for the sweet release of…sleep, then keep on reading!
If you’re already part of the intermittent fasting squad, I assume you know the science of how you’re burning FAT and your body is using it for energy, after your glycogen (stored sugar) energy is gone.
Because burning fat is a desirable end in and of itself for many people, you might not know about this cool little ADDED BONUS of burning fat for fuel:
Fat is twice as energy dense as carbs!
Oh yeah!! that basically means that when you’re fat adapted from intermittent fasting and/or a low-carb diet, you literally have twice the energy you did before!! So no wonder you can’t fall asleep at night, right?
And the other reason you have too much energy at night? (You probably figured this part out already.) You’re not tired when intermittent fasting, because digesting food is a process that requires energy and makes you tired! Y’know how your energy dips after a meal? So yeah, that’s another way that fasting gives you a boost of maybe-undesired ENERGY!
So this is all very interesting, but you’re probably “tired” of me beating around the bush: What do you do when intermittent fasting = can’t sleep?
They say “drink a glass of warm milk” to help you sleep. Well, you can’t exactly do that. But you can do the things that are stereotypically known for helping you sleep well:
1. Exercise!!
2. Go to bed at the same time each night, wake up the same time each morning (to the extent possible)!
3. Don’t look at bright TV / phone / etc. screens just before bed
4. Avoid naps
5. Meditate…Inhale for 3 seconds, exhale for 3 seconds. Concentrate on relaxing every part of your body, starting at the toes and working your way up, consciously thinking about relaxing each body part.
6. Healthy diet during your eating window. Drink lots of water to help your body detox
7. Have a good quality pillow!!
8. Aromatherapy, mmm!
9. Relaxing bath / shower
10. Read or journal
So yeah, I hope those tips helped, but if for some reason you’ve still got the intermittent fasting = can’t sleep issue, don’t worry!!
This is a temporary side effect. As your body gets more accustomed to having that extra energy shot 💉, you’ll be able to fall asleep again — and will probably have a BETTER quality of sleep.
And you should also know, there’s another happy reason that intermittent fasting = can’t sleep. Not just because your body is DETOXING!! As we intermittent fast and we release TOXINS from our fat cells, our body is temporarily like “What is THIS crap?” and freaks out, releasing cortisol and adrenaline to try and get rid of the toxins faster.
But like I said, your body will soon be all detoxed up, and adapted to your new lifestyle…and then not only will you be able to get a good night’s sleep once again, but you’ll be a million times healthier, too! (Again, just be sure to drink enough water to help your liver do its job and detox.)
And, welcome to the IF Club!!!
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