[skosk]

Many things have helped me cope with my insomnia. Excellent nutrition and supplementation have been major keys for me. Staying as sharp and productive as possible during the day is vital.

My ongoing issue is 4-6 nights of terrible sleep per week. I haven’t slept my typical night of sleep in so long that I’m now often scared of sleep itself. I’ve never had a great opinion of sleep or perfect relationship with it, but this new thought pattern is horrible. I used to procrastinate when it came to going to bed, but then eventually surrendered to sleep and got the 6-7 hours of quality sleep that I needed. These days my “bad nights” involve a long period of “rest”, many thoughts, frustration, and occasional drifting in and out of vivid dreams. It is definitely non-restorative. How do I become comfortable with the idea of sleep again? How is it possible to regain my old sleep pattern/views now that this Pandora’s box has been opened?

[Martin Reed]

Your current relationship with sleep is completely understandable! Experiencing four to six nights of terrible sleep each week is always going to lead to sleep-related worry and concern.

With that being said, this means you are also experiencing one to three nights of better sleep each week — so this proves that you are capable of sleep, and that sleep ALWAYS happens in the end!

Sleep is not an ability. It’s not something we forget how to do. Sleep is a core biological process — so, with enough wakefulness, sleep will always happen. So, we don’t need to be worried or nervous about sleep since this only makes sleep more difficult and means we need to build more sleep drive (in other words, be awake for longer) in order to make sleep happen.

The best way to improve sleep for the long-term is to implement cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) techniques since these address the thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate insomnia and disrupt sleep drive, disrupt the body clock, and heighten arousal.

I hope this helps. You can get through this and you do not need to live with insomnia forever!

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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.

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