Dahlia (ae/aer) :
So.... If I don't monch before bed, I will wake up, repeatedly. Not like a little bit. I will come full consciousness. Multiple times a night. And I'll wake up when I decide it's time to stop fighting for sleep, usually with way less than I need of not even great quality sleep, feeling sticky fascia and angry that I can't regulate out of and chronic pain that stays. I found out totally accidentally that eating protein and a balanced like half meal before laying down in bed didn't spike my mcas, made it way easier to focus on relaxing (adhd) and left me not fully waking throughout the night, and when I awoke there was so much significantly less pain that I had to try that again. I also had hunger cues after maybe 45 or so minutes after fully waking up. 30 minutes is way too soon for my body. If I want to crash out all day, forcing myself to eat that soon is a great way to do that!
I also have POTS, so I have to be careful how quickly I'm adjusting to being awake, like letting my systems come back on one by one in a supported fashion. Or if I don't do this, I will be feeling like hell for days even with nervous system regulation tactics. It's like taking my body on a roller coaster first thing, if I just get up and force myself to eat and go about my day. I had to stop doing that, it really affected my bloating also.
So I eat before bed every time now, and I've also added in electrolytes before bed. And when I get up, I will have a lighter bite to eat, then I enjoy doing something a bit physical like a very light walk, then when I'm back, I'm more ready for a fuller meal. I'm just a hobbit needing a second breakfast. 😅 But then I have to load up my meals properly so I can have the long break in between for gut motility keeping it moving and regulated (gut health is mind health). I don't eat things that are hard to digest, I do think ahead. But there *has* to be a good bit of protein involved or it doesn't work.
Always eat a few bites before coffee cuz not doing that WILL SPIKE CORTISOL! which is already not our fren if we have POTS type issues!
(im also not a medical professional, I just have had to be figuring this out recently)
2025-09-29 16:16:13