[jwick]

I have been struggling to get proper sleep for longer than I can remember. This lack of sleep has made me feel horrible most days and today I called in to work sick for the first time because of my insomnia. I am also worried that my insomnia will lead to other health issues in the future if I don’t have it addressed.

[Scott]

Hi @jwick!

Welcome to the forum! Can you describe what your sleep is like at the current time — what is an average night like? How did you relate your sickness with your insomnia?

Scott J

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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.

[jwick]

Hi Scott!
Thanks for checking in! My insomnia seems to have a cycle. I will have a few days of decent sleep then go back to restless nights for a few weeks but progressively getting worse recently. I know that I have a couple of habits that I need to put to rest. Falling asleep on the couch is one that I have been working on! I generally go to bed around the same time most nights 10:15ish and my alarm goes off at 6:15. I can usually fall asleep but I’m awake an hour or two later and spend the rest of the night tossing and turning. From what I’ve read in the other posts and heard from Martin, I think I’m going to try the sleep restrictions(going to bed later or maybe up earlier?) and removing myself from my bed when I wake up(and can’t get back to sleep).
On my sick day, I simply wasn’t able to drive to work(safely) and wouldn’t be able to perform my job if I went. Complete exhaustion I guess from several sleep deprived nights in a row.

Thanks, Joe

[Martin Reed]

I suspect you will find sleep restriction helpful since the rollercoaster nights you described are a common symptom associated with allotting too much time for sleep at night!

You said that you wouldn’t be able to perform your job if you had gone in after a night of insomnia — can you tell us a bit more about that? What is your job? Do you truly believe that you would have been 100% incompetent because of your insomnia and been 100% unable to perform any part of your usual job duties?

Did staying at home after calling in sick lead to a better day or did it perhaps lead to more sleep-related worry and maybe a bit more fatigue due to less activity and fewer distractions?

You might find these videos helpful, too:

Rearranging your life around sleep only feeds your insomnia and makes the problem worse

The difference between chronic insomnia and sleep deprivation (and why it matters)

I hope this helps!

—

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.

[jwick]

Hi Martin!

Thank you for your feedback. I have tried to modify my sleep window this week by staying up later with no success. I am fighting to stay awake until 11-1130 but can’t do it and fall asleep earlier while reading or watching tv. This leads me to believe that I should be going to bed at my regular time(10) and getting up at 4am? Like I mentioned, I generally fall asleep in bed only to wake up an hour or two later. I usually feel sleepy enough to sleep again but it just doesn’t happen.

I watched your recommended videos and I think there is a lot of logic to them. I have been struggling with sleep issues for so long now that is has become a major focus in my life. I guess changing my mindset will have to be my biggest priority to overcome my insomnia?

Valid point on the sick day! It didn’t necessarily improve my day as much I was physically and mentally exhausted which would have led to a bad day at work. I help manage an auto parts wholesale store and felt I wouldn’t have the energy to deal with the daily issues. Sticking with my daily routine and powering through the day would have most likely been the better choice to have a better sleep for the next night.

Thanks again for your time!

[Author]

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