[sleepytamara]

Hi everyone,

My entire life before the last ~7-8 months I was a good sleeper. Then I had a baby and even though she started sleeping through the night around 6 weeks old (we are very lucky!), I stopped sleeping well. I had a lot of work stressors too and then likely postpartum depression and I think it has all contributed to my insomnia. In the last several months before I started sleep restriction therapy I was going to bed at my usual time (~10pm) and waking up around 2/3am and sometimes worse. Now I am going to bed at 12am and waking up anywhere between 4-5am. What’s interesting is that I feel more rested now than before as if my body is used to the low amount of sleep compared to when my insomnia first started. Initially I was so miserable and now even though I’m not happy with the amount of sleep I’m getting I feel ok (not great, but ok). After having restricted my sleep I have become pretty good at not staying in bed once I wake up and I think that’s what contributed to my insomnia too (previously staying in bed when not being able to sleep). It’s also my first week of sleep restriction therapy. I should also clarify that I don’t have trouble falling asleep but waking up in the middle of the night.

With a sleep window of 6 hours I am currently only at 79%. It has only been 6 days but that’s better than my 56% sleep efficiency for the 2 weeks prior (as I stayed in bed way too long). Would love to hear how well others responded to sleep restriction. And I’m curious how long it took others to get their sleep efficiency to go up?

[Martin Reed]

Welcome to the forum — you are not alone!

First of all, you might find my podcast episode with Cindy of interest: How Cindy tackled the insomnia that appeared after her baby was born by accepting nighttime wakefulness and eliminating safety behaviors (#31).

Remember that sleep restriction cannot make sleep happen, since sleep cannot be directly or permanently controlled. It’s a tool that can help us move away from chasing after sleep — with sleep, the more we try to make it happen, the more we can end up struggling with it!

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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.

[sleepytamara]

Thanks Martin – I did not realize. Funny thing, I was watching that exact video when your note came through. I am going to work on not googling and staying off the internet and phone researching insomnia. I’ve been spending hours a day doing this and even though I was chasing success stories I think you’re right, that it’s like I’m trying too hard and I’m too focused on it.

[Martin Reed]

It sure sounds as though using those hours to do more of the things that matter to you might help you better live the kind of life you want to live!

—

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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