[Grangers]

Hi all

What are sleepiness cues and when you should head to bed. Is yawning really a sign of being sleepy? I get the heavy eyes etc. What about itchy stingy eyes? Should I be going to bed as soon as I start yawning frequently or should hang off for more? Something I definitely struggle with is working out when I should go to bed. Also does worrying about sleep perpetuate insomnia and cause high EEG waves light sleep etc?

[Grangers]

In addition I have a horrible tendency to check my eyes in the morning to gauge how I slept. I cannot shift the crescent shaped reddish bags under my eyes. Stay the same every morning and all through the day so just assume Ive not slept at all or only had like 1 hour light sleep at best

[Martin Reed]

Hello Grangers and welcome to the forum!

When we are sleepy, we will generally fall asleep pretty quickly. That’s all sleepiness means. Cues for sleepiness vary from person to person but often involve difficulty keeping our eyes open. Yawning isn’t always a sign of sleepiness since many of us yawn as soon as we see someone else yawning — even if we just woke up!

The best time to go to bed also varies from person to person. If you find yourself struggling with sleep, it might be useful to only go to bed when you are finding it hard to stay awake!

Worrying about sleep is normal and natural and, in itself, doesn’t disrupt sleep. However, trying to fight or avoid that worry can make sleep more difficult since you are then battling with your mind. When we are engaged in a battle, the mind isn’t going to let sleep come easy!

When it comes to checking your eyes in the morning, that’s understandable, too. Yet, at the same time, I wonder how helpful this is — since you cannot control sleep and you cannot control how your eyes look.

What you can control — always — are your actions. So, even after difficult nights (and even when there are bags under your eyes) you can still engage in activities that help make life worth living. If you can do that, all these difficult things you have no control over might start to have less of an influence over you.

I hope there’s something helpful here!

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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.

[Grangers]

Thanks Martin

You say that anxious thoughts about sleep/sleep anxiety and worrying about sleep doesnt affect sleep i thought this was one of the key things that keeps insomnia going along with conditioned arousal and trying to sleep? Also dont usually get the cant keep my eyes open feeling even if i went to bed at 5 and was getting up at 7

[Martin Reed]

Thoughts and feelings don’t stop sleep from happening — but trying to fight or avoid them sure can! I don’t know of anyone who fell asleep when engaged in a battle — and that’s just what we are doing when we start fighting with what’s going on in our minds!

—

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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