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is a lot of sleep a good thing or a bad thing?

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Posted 1/18/2012 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
there are probably many different views on this, but i've been really taking it easy over my winter break in between semesters of college. and by this i mean sleeping a lot, napping a lot, and generally lazing about not over-exerting myself. is this a good thing, or bad? i know that i've heard the view that when animals in the wild get sick, they curl up and rest. and during sleep your body helps heal tissue and such. so is it good that i am sleeping excessive amounts or is it necessary to be more active as well?
Posted 1/18/2012 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hey teeners,

So I got Lyme when I was in college too. It sucked. I was terrible at giving myself a break or resting though.

What I would say is that if you have the energy to go for a short walk, or do some really easy exercise, try to do it. But if you are completely exhausted, or your body is begging you to lie/sit down, than do that. Or if exercising makes you feel worse.

When I have the energy, exercise makes me feel better. When I am struggling just to stay upright and I force myself to exercise, I feel worse.
Posted 1/18/2012 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
I have always found sleep to make me feel so much better. It was getting used to taking it easy that I found the hardest. I was such a go, go, go person that it felt like I was being a failure napping after work or taking forever to get my necessary housework done. I have to tell you that once I learned to make a lifestyle change and go with the flow that I feel so much better. I go walking here and there now and plan on getting back on course this year but while you are healing or battling, rest is so so important.
Posted 1/19/2012 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
I'm going to go with "everything in moderation." I'm pretty sure not enough sleep supresses your immune system so it's crucial to get enough, and I mean when I don't set an alarm, my body will naturally sleep for 10-12 hours, so I figure I must need it.

Personally, though, when I spend TOO much time resting, I feel worse. I think as you make it a point to get up and move around from time to time to get things flowing, rest is your best friend!
Posted 1/19/2012 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
There's no question 8 hours of sleep a night helped me. Rest is good! But when you feel up to it, make sure you go for walks.
Posted 1/19/2012 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
Sleep can do wonders!   But a bit of exercise-- when you feel up to it-- can also do wonders.   When I was extremely ill, the combo of sleep/exercise really helped. 
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