Trouble sleeping after BJJ?

[beat...people...up?]

Just curious, I have had a bunch of wrestling coaches say they don't sleep on their back. The goal of wrestling is to be off your back, so many wrestlers are uncomfortable off their back. Personally, I sleep on my stomach. I have never, and can never, fall asleep on my back.

Do you guys who have BJJ backgrounds first sleep on your back? Just a random thing I thought of today. Every wrestler I asked said they slept on their stomach.

The BJJ equivalent is probably "never be the little spoon."

 

[Matsukaze]

training over 12 years now and I have had this problem since blue belt basically. Class from 7 to 9 and I get up for work about 5:30 and I'm nearing the big 50. I get home and take a hot shower and do some stretching afterwards. I have no problem falling asleep but then wide awake around 3:30 or 4...... drives me crazy! I don't know how the bjj full timers do it

 

[GordoBarraBJJ]

https://www.bjjee.com/articles/kron...XSif30FArOZf9w7BvgwqAbmkkZlEB8V5zBwt2cBoQdMuM


Not being able to sleep after bjj is a pretty common well spread moment in the community. The issue is especially prominent for those who train in the evening/night hours due to work schedules and other obligations.

Kron Gracie found a solution that works for him:

“I like the edibles a lot, especially if I’m going to sleep because like I’m training like all week, I’m not sleeping that much, I’m running around and then on the weekends I’ll be like a whole f**king chocolate bar so I pass out for 12 hours. Recovered a lot so I’m like ready for the next week. “

 

[Ladder Master]

I had a serious problem with this couple of years ago. Magnesium, early to bed/reading, no computer..

Totally agree on the magnesium. Magnesium Glycinate to be specific.
Unless of course you need other forms of magnesium in order to relieve bowel/constipation issues.

 

[Gandhi]

Rolling in your sleep happens, if you think about it, laying in bed IS a lot like being on the mat.

In terms of sleeping, you need to make that your number 1 for when you get home. Have dinner ready or microwavable, and stay off the computer or netflix. Taking a hot shower, and changing into comfortable pajamas help me immensely.

Also a tip my doctor gave me when I was having trouble with my PTSD was to leave the lights off, then go sit quietly in another room for about 15 minutes and not think about anything, then going back in to lay-down. Also, if you wake up in the PM or early, early, early AM in order to use the restroom, then leave the light off if you can.

This, sitting down in a dark room and just thinking about shit for a while will make you drowsy. Then go to sleep, no phone no tablet.

Stretch and massage shit out when you get home.

I still replay the grappling in all my classes late into the night. It’s a pain in the ass.

 

[Bluesbreaker]

A couple of things I've found helpful:

• Sipping on something like chamomile tea.
• Playing a sleep meditation video on YouTube.

 

[JagRoss]

Yeah, make herbal tea and listen/read something.
No screens!

 

[GoodbyeBlueSky82]

Thanks for the tips guy. Keep em coming.

Got a few questions.

1) What do you guys do to relax after BJJ if laptop or TV is unrecommended? Some said read a book, while others say don't.

2) I dont have a problem falling asleep on the nights I dont have class and I do nothing but TV and laptop before going to bed. Could it be the combination of BJJ + those electronics that could trigger this? I guess its different for everyone.

A book always helps me. A real book, not Kindle or reading on your phone. Something about your eyes focusing on a screen is far too stimulating and cutting out screen time during the period right before bed in general is always a good idea.
Someone else mentioned something about core body temperature being raised, which I had not thought about it and makes sense. I love hot showers but after a night class, I always dial it back from the usual temperature, but I am still hot for a long time. I might try colder showers to jump start cooling down. I already put on super light clothing (basketball shorts and tee) for the rest of the night, but maybe even air drying after shower could help more.

 

[sb413197]

It used to happen to me more, but went away over the years. Happened a ton at first - when I first started grappling I grabbed my (now) wife really tight while dreaming and it freaked her out. When I was new to BJJ I would have trouble sleeping and look up videos but as it got more routine that stopped too, for the most part.

 

[DatCutman]

Happened all the time when I first started. Went away. Started Judo a few months ago, the pre-sleep replays started again. It sounds lame and granola, but 10-20 minutes of meditating before bed saves me 2 hours of mental replays.

 

[method115]

I find it harder to sleep when I don't train. I'm not sure I actually get an adrenaline hit out of training at all anymore

This is me. I get so exhausted from BJJ\lifting that I'm dead tired basically all week.