[Scott Blackerby]

Hi everyone. My name is Scott. I completed the course recently. Probably around a month ago. A little back story. I was working overnights. I had been for several years. Also, I didn’t really have a regular sleep schedule. It was all over the place. Basically, poor sleep hygiene. I usually had been able to adapt well, but in February I started the 3 most difficult months of my life (sleep wise). I was cutting back on caffeine (night workers rely on it), and the stress of my job (physical work) and the mental stress of overnights, did me in. Plus, I love to workout and my workouts can be intense (even more stress). Combined with not eating a lot, creating the perfect storm. My insomnia started along with developing a bad case of anxiety. Which doesn’t help matters. I struggled! I researched like crazy and tried everything. Cbd, pharma gaba, supplements etc. nothing seemed to work that well. Then, I stumbled upon Martin’s course. It was half off, so I said what the heck! The course helped tremendously. Basically, it gave me an outline of what to do. I followed it all. The sleep window was tough (I struggled to get out of bed at my scheduled time) especially, when I had not slept well that night. I practiced the 30 min rule a lot at first. Doing the sleep diary helped a lot. Plus the feedback and encouragement, from Martin was great. I was determined to do this naturally. I knew it could happen. Before, I Would not doing anything if I slept poorly. Just sit on the couch and feel sorry for myself. I am an artist so, I got back to regular drawing and always did my workouts and healthy eating. I wasn’t going to let Insomnia dictate my life. We only have one to live. That helped my mind sent a lot. I try and wear out my body physically (workouts, walking, hiking) and mentally (drawing). By my sleep time I pass out pretty easily and don’t wake up as much. When I do wake up, I can back to sleep (which I couldn’t before). I do a little relaxing before bed and unwind my mind. Does wonders. Believe it or not I get up at my sleep window time now. Pretty much no problem. I go to bed a littler earlier. I absolutely love it. I love morning and having a long day. I still get tired, but avoid all naps. I don’t want to ruin a good thing. Life is definitely looking up. I am not as concerned about sleep as much. Doesn’t consume me. I apologize for the extremely long post. Follow this outline and it can be done. Do I have bad nights of sleep still. Sure. Some nights, I do. But, overall I am in a much happier place.

[Martin Reed]

Thank you so much for sharing your transformation, Scott!

Perhaps the biggest insight you shared was the fact you dived back into all the enjoyable things you had removed from your life in response to insomnia!

When we remove enjoyable activities from our lives in response to poor sleep, we reduce our quality of life and train ourselves to believe we cannot enjoy life if we experience sleep disruption. This perpetuates the problem since we then place more importance on sleep, put more pressure on ourselves to sleep, put more effort into sleep, and worry more about sleep — and, as you know, all these things make sleep more difficult!

Refusing to allow insomnia to dictate your life is not only liberating, but it really helps lower arousal and helps to improve sleep!

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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.

[SUSIE]

Thankyou so much for sharing your experience Scott. It resonated with me becasue i’m very much into fitness also but i’m wondering how long i can keep up my daily routine becasue i’m I’m going through hell right now and i’m exhausted. I’ve dealt with periods of insomnia all my life but the past 5 years have been pretty damn bad and i dont know how ive got through the past 2 years. I’m now surviving on maybe 2 or 3 hours of sleep a night and often go through nights without any sleep whatsoever. even though i’ve been using zopiclone on and off. I found Martins podcast a couple of days ago and this is my first night on the forum and my first night of trying the CBT-i program.
Its 2.30am, and i’ve been out of bed for the past 2 hours and for the first time in ages I’m feeling a small glimpse of hope as i read through the success stories. Just finding people who have been through some of what i’m going through is deeply moving. No one i know seems to have any understanding of the hell that insomnia can be. Thankyou again.

[Scott Blackerby]

Susie! You can do this I know it. I had never experienced anything like this before. So when it hit, it hit hard. I believe a strict sleep schedule was key. Before, if I didn’t fall asleep before 4, I would just stay in bed and try and sleep. I refused to get out of bed. Because, I figured sleep would eventually come. That just made things worse. So getting up around the same time helped a great deal. Plus, I avoided all naps. Unless it was for safety reasons. That made my sleep drive stronger, If I had not slept well the night before. I am still doing well. No naps and sleep well most nights. I wake up a couple times a night. Usually after 4-5 straight hours of sleep and then I can usually fall back asleep again for 2-3 more hours. That was a pipe dream a few months ago, as insomnia was wrecking my life. I am rooting for you. I know you can do this. Martin is awesome, and full of knowledge. He can really help. Take care and best of luck to you.

Scott

[SUSIE]

Wow!! Thankyou so much for the encouragment Scott. You have no idea how much i appreciate you reaching out. This is my third night of the program and your words are helping me as i slowly wind down to bedtime. The anxiety was beginning to creep up but your email has decreased it by at least half. Suddenly i dont feel so alone. And yes i agree, Martin seems really lovely. I know the next few weeks could get challenging but i also know i can do it. Feeling so damn blessed to have stumbled onto this site. Thankyou again x

[Author]

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