[Bellissima]

Deep down I fear I am going to die. I was ill a few years back and it seems to have triggered this fear of death. I tell myself this is irrational as the body has millions of years of life and death experience as an organism and doesn’t need me or my tiny lifetime of experience to tell it how to die. I am 76 by the way. I have anxious feelings and thoughts and get stuck in an arousal state and I go around in a loop, thinking all sorts of negative and random things, simply making me feel worse and in the process trying to chase after that elusive sleep I feel sure, in my anxious state, is being taken away/denied me. Do other people feel this, also. Many thanks for taking g the time to read this.

[Mui]

I have the same issues. Anxiety around not sleeping and dying from exhaustion or illness.

[Martin Reed]

I suspect most people fear death. It’s probably hard-wired into the human brain as a survival mechanism and without that fear, I doubt many of us would be alive today. So, although it can be difficult, that’s a natural and normal feeling/emotion — and, by itself, it doesn’t prevent sleep from happening.

What can make sleep more difficult is trying to fight or avoid certain thoughts and feelings. That’s because we cannot directly or permanently control what the mind does. The more we try, the more we struggle. The more we struggle, the more energy we expend and the less focused we become on doing things that matter and engaging in the world around us. This, in turn, can make everything more difficult.

So a more useful response might be acknowledging these difficult thoughts and feelings. Moving away from the endless and exhausting struggle. Being kind to yourself when they show up. Allowing them to come and go as they please. Then, refocusing your attention on doing things that matter to you. Living the life you want to live, even in the presence of difficult thoughts and feelings and even after difficult nights.

—

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.

[Author]

Posts