First night of sleep restriction – is this normal?

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  • #37112
    GILL999
    ✓ Client

      I so very badly want to commit to this and have it work, but last night – my first night of proper sleep restriction – was absolutely brutal. I’ve been getting between 5.5 and 6 hours sleep a night so my sleep window started at 00:30. Tried so, so hard to stay awake but felt sick with tiredness and did fall asleep on the sofa between about 11:15 and 11:40. Then when my sleep window came and I tried to go to bed I was wide awake. Only managed to get about 45 hours light sleep at about 5am this morning with about 10 episodes of getting in and out of bed, and feel so bad today.

      I know it says it can often get worse before it gets better, but is this normal? I feel like I’ve completely messed my body up even more now. I feel like if I miss my natural sleepy window then I can’t get it back and also that the act of coming upstairs when I feel that sleepy is waking me up again.

      Would really appreciate some reassurance – very teary this morning

      #37142
      Martin Reed
      ★ Admin

        It’s not unusual for the first few nights of sleep restriction to be particularly difficult and even lead to less sleep. However, this is temporary — sleep drive ALWAYS wins in the end! So, if you remain consistent, if you can set your sleep window and then forget about evaluating it, if you can engage your robot mind, you will make progress!

        If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.

        The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.

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