[Histiocytosis]

Surprise, surprise another rotten night. I have battled insomnia of and on for decades. You name the trigger and I have faced it. Anxiety about work or a meeting the next day ;when my children were young one never slept much which encouraged insomnia in me for a long time. I get insomnia sometimes whenever we travel because I of course fret about sleeping. As I am in my sixties now I get up at night a few times to use the washroom. Hate getting up because then I try too hard to get back to sleep. Also my wife, who is a great sleeper, starts snoring and I tend to lie in bed waiting for it. Yes it keeps me awake
In fairness I also have great spells where I sleep very well. Problem is I think too much that my sleeping is going well which then puts me back in a sleep slump. Anyway I realize that I am rambling. Sometimes I think that once one has battled insomnia you are somewhat like an alcoholic. You can go for long spells sleeping good but the threat of not resting well is always there.
Enough for now..Merry Christmas to all.

[sleep]

I have had insomnia for 2 years, before that I slept so good and I am 72 years old. I didnt realize how lucky I was back then to have slept so good. But I am saying the same thing as you, Here I go again. I have just had a terrible cold and lost my voice and anxiety comes back will I sleep? You never know, I could not go to sleep until 2 am and took Nyquil for my cough and slept thru the night.

The next night I thought I might not sleep and took nothing but I did sleep. You never know so I guess just go with the flow, I certainly cant control my sleep. I am not as anxious about my sleep knowing I will sleep eventually. I have slept good since last April with only a couple of not so good nights and so it is Dec so 8 months of sleep has been good. But I do know things happen in life and it is not easy but if I can just not get so anxious and have a little talk with myself, saying You will sleep, things will work out.

[Martin Reed]

There is so much wisdom in your words @Histiocytosis. A few phrases that stood out to me include:

“I have battled insomnia”
How might things be different if you weren’t battling what seems to be out of your direct control?

“I try too hard to get back to sleep.”
How might things be different if you didn’t actively try to make sleep happen?

“In fairness I also have great spells where I sleep very well.”
You know that you have a natural ability to sleep and to sleep well.

“I think too much…”
Since the human brain is always thinking, what if thinking itself was not so much a source of struggle compared to how you might respond to the thoughts you notice?

Merry Christmas to you, too — and thank you @sleep for your kind and supportive response as well. It sounds like moving away from trying to control sleep has made a huge difference for you.

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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.

[AdamR]

This really resonated with me. I’m currently travelling and I’ve had a string of nights with less sleep than I wanted following a lot of flights and jet lag. So the anxiety around tiredness compounds the stress around not sleeping and the cycle begins again. I know in my mind that a good night’s sleep is in my future (since it’s a natural process) but for now, I feel a lot of pressure and disappointment.

[Author]

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