[Time4sumaction]

I’ve struggled with panic attacks and anxiety for nearly 40 years. Throughout this time I have had bouts with insomnia but it always seemed to go away.
For about a year now insomnia has really plagued me. Every time I think I’ve gotten through it by accepting it and sleeping well it comes back with a vengeance! I know this isn’t possible without my feeding into it but I really feel like I am not feeding it. The ironic thing is that I sleep soundly on weekends but during the week it is a crap shoot. I will sleep fine for a week or two and then one bad night will send me into a tailspin. I don’t know if I slept more than 2 hours last night but I am dragging my butt into work and hoping I won’t fall asleep at work.
I already took the 2 week free course and have done several other courses throughout my time suffering through anxiety and panic. Fear seems to get in my way constantly.
Last night I refused to take any medication to sleep. I feel like I have to try a new approach with insomnia but I feel like I am losing my friggin mind!

[Martin Reed]

Sorry to hear that you’ve been struggling for so long — that sounds really hard.

It sounds as though you might be really close, but not quite there, when it comes to acceptance! Acceptance isn’t intended to be used as a strategy to control things that cannot be controlled (such as sleep, what we think, how we feel). It’s intended to be used as a strategy to help us respond to all that difficult stuff with less struggle.

Of course, when we struggle less we can find that insomnia or difficult thoughts and feelings can lose their power and influence over us or even temporarily disappear. However, those things will always come back from time to time since they’re part of the human experience.

What matters is how we respond — because our response is something we can control. We can start trying to fight/avoid (where does that get us and how much additional energy does that consume?) or we can practice acknowledging that stuff, making space for it to come and go as it chooses, being kind to ourselves when things feel difficult, and continuing to do things that matter even in the presence of it all.

It sounds as though you are doing things that matter when all this difficult stuff shows up, which is great! Often, it takes ongoing practice to ensure we aren’t getting pulled into a battle and a struggle with something that’s invisible and out of our control too (such as sleep, what we think, how we feel).

I hope there’s something useful here and I wish you all the best!

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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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