Posted by Jlx on November 6, 2006, at 17:24:26
In reply to Linkadge's anticortisol list..contributions ?, posted by linkadge on October 28, 2006, at 9:57:38
Going to sleep early was in "The Cortisol Connection". The author said that the hours between 10 PM and midnight were the most important to stabilize the normal cortisol circadian rhythm. He said one reason we are out of whack is because we don't have the wake/sleep cycle of our ancestors, that we are too awake too late in the evening which throws off our day time cycle into too much cortisol all the time. He suggested turning out lights at 8 p.m., staying off computers, etc. until bed.
I find it difficult, but when I've done it I have indeed felt the difference. In fact, the first time, I woke up at 1 AM feeling like it was morning! I looked at the clock and couldn't believe it.
I've read this elsewhere from this book too but can't remember where. It fits with recent news articles about not sleeping making us fat. Maybe it's not the total hours sleeping, but the sleep coinciding optimally with the ideal rise and fall of cortisol since cortisol relates to weight gain.
I recall the author saying that he took theanine in the early evening to calm himself down.
I wonder if it's also better to take other cortisol-reducing supplements later in the day.
JL
poster:Jlx
thread:698416
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20061013/msgs/700997.html