[NeuroShock]

This is going to be the 3rd night of me practising sleep restriction. I’ve gone from desperately trying to sleep, to desperately trying to stay awake! I’ve been drowsy and nodding off all day, trying to fight the urge to go to bed until it’s time. I almost enjoy it, though. It’s great to have the drowsy-sleepy feeling back and nodding off to sleep, rather than the achy-tired-but-wired feeling without even being able to nod off at all. It’s evidence that my brain isn’t broken after all and it still knows how to fall asleep.

Coincidentally, today I received an email for Day 11 of Martin’s free insomnia sleep training course. I’m going to keep using the mindset of “trying to stay awake” when I’m in bed. I’ll just lie there with eyes open and concentrate on my breathing.

The first two nights I woke up both times half an hour before my alarm clock and there was no chance of me going to sleep again, but I just stayed in bed until the alarm went off. I thought I had “free time” to do so.

 

I have a question: if it happens again tonight, what should I do? Immediately get out of bed? Or just stay in bed and relax for 30 minutes until my alarm clock goes off?

[Martin Reed]

Isn’t it amazing that before sleep restriction you were desperately trying to sleep, now you are desperately trying to stay awake?!

If you wake within half-an-hour of your ‘out of bed time’, then it’s usually best to simply get out of bed at that point. This way, you will be continuing to strengthen the association between the bed and sleep rather than wakefulness.

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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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