In the last two weeks, I have stopped drinking caffeine after lunch. Other than feeling more tired in the evening, I was surprised to find that I also feel more tired when I wake up early for my workouts. I’m sleeping through the night more and not getting up for the toilet which is obviously a big positive.
Basically, I’m surprised to find that I’m not feeling better when I wake up and I was wondering if anyone else has anything knowledge/experience relating to this issue? Maybe it’s just a matter of my body adapting to the lack of caffeine in my system overnight?
Additionally, I feel like my RPE is slightly harder. Not by much though, workouts are completed as scheduled.
If so I am not sure there is a direct connection between the two.
Regarding this:
My only lay person guess is, assuming you are now sleeping longer and that you are still waking up at the same time, that you are now waking up mid sleep cycle as opposed towards the end of it hence not feeling great (worse?) when you wake up.
My assumption was that if I stopped caffeine intake at lunch, allowing time for it to clear from my body, I would sleep better at night. This has actually happened, as mentioned previously. My sleep is less interrupted, but I have been feeling more tired in the morning and during my workout. I guess I expected to feel more recovered and fresher somewhat.
The book “Why We Sleep” by Matthew Walker is an amazing read. If I remember correctly, caffeine does a good job of inhibiting the brains ability to either produce (or recognize) melatonin. Melatonin production can also be halted by lighting and other stimulation.
I say this because you may have assumed ‘less caffeine = better sleep’ when in fact you need to review other pieces of your sleep routine/system/evening activity to notice the differences you’re looking for.
Is there a problem you’re looking to solve or just attempting to improve sleep? If you have a sleep tracking wearable, it may suggest you’re getting more deep sleep than when you had caffeine in the system.
My guess is you are in a deeper sleep and maybe for a longer duration. It will take your body longer to get those “waking up” hormones and other body processes going again. It takes time for the body to adjust. Kinda like if your use to burning sugar for fuel and then eliminate most of the sugar, forcing your body to burning fat as a fuel source.
“ Caffeine acts by blocking binding of adenosine’s at a number of adenosine receptor types, inhibiting the centrally depressant effects of adenosine ( body’s relaxation compound) and enhancing the release of acetylcholine.”
My guess is you need more total sleep. When was on caffeine, I could function on 6 hours of sleep. Now that I’m not on caffeine, 6 hours makes me feel like crap.
Magnesium as well. Dirt cheap and easy to take with the brushing of your teeth at night. Don’t fall victim to any special sport branded supplement. Generic tabs from the grocery store is the same stuff.