[Mano]

Hello

I have had on-off sleep issues since 2020. I go through periods where one bad night becomes three or four before it resets and I get back to a normal routine. I have been on sleeping tablets in the past and became dependent on them, to the point that I absolutely refuse to take them ever again.

But unfortunately my sleep demons have returned again. I recently battled Covid and my sleep has been compromised as a result. I was lucky not to feel the worst effects of Covid, just cold-like symptoms, but now my sleep has been awful the past week and I am at breaking point.

My body is tired and sore, my eyes are heavy and I can drift off for a bit while sitting on my couch, but once I go to bed to try and get some sleep, the body just refuses and I’m back to square one again. During Covid I was able to nap during the day but I feel this is responsible for my recent episode and now I am barely able to sleep at all.

I feel at a loss with this, why does this keep happening to me?

[Martin Reed]

Hello Mano and welcome to the post. There’s nothing unique or unusual going on here, since there’s never any mystery when it comes to insomnia.

Temporary periods of sleep disruption (difficult nights) are a part of life, just as difficult days from time to time are a part of life.

When difficult nights stick around and there’s no obvious cause, it’s usually because of all the effort we are putting into sleep. With sleep, the more we try, the more we struggle. And, it’s the same with all the difficult thoughts and feelings associated with insomnia — the more we try to fight or avoid, the more we struggle.

As you know, a tired and sore body and heavy eyes are not pleasant. It makes sense that we want to get rid of that difficult stuff! And yet, it’s something we can’t control.

The only thing we can control are our actions. So, when all this difficult stuff shows up you have a choice — continue to engage in a struggle, trying to fight or avoid it (even though you might know from experience that this doesn’t work) or practice an approach that might help move you away from struggle and toward living the life you want to live, even when all this difficult stuff is present.

If you think back to times when sleep wasn’t a concern, how much effort were you putting into it? Perhaps there’s an insight there!

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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.

[Mano]

Well I’ve tried everything this week. I got out of the house during the day, I’ve avoided caffeine, I spent an entire day avoid all electronics, I have tried doing puzzles to stimulate the brain and yet I still cannot get sleep. Frankly, I am at my wits end. I do not know what to do anymore.

[Martin Reed]

When you were sleeping well, did you have to get out of the house during the day, avoid caffeine, spend the day avoiding all electronics, and doing puzzles? If not, what might that mean?

—

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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