[anmareta]

Thanks for sharing and the support. Indeed, having a plan is awesome. I like that too! And just letting go.

[anmareta]

Hi Hbhigg,
Thanks for sharing and let’s keep sharing. Keep me updated it. it’s better to go through a challenging time with others than alone.
When I get so 2 to 3 hours of sleep I struggle with pain in my back specially my upper back. Additionally, my motivation is really affected and my thoughts are harder processe. This week most days I have gotten 2 to 3 hours of sleep and a couple of days 5 to 6 hours. The last two are a blessing, but It’s indeed a real challenge, so I think this forum is great to cheer each other up. I think just giving this a try with an open mind is great! I have learned so much about myself and my fears and things I run away from or fight.
Obviously, I want to run away from the discomfort of what comes with not sleeping and the anxiety feeling. I fight it a lot or avoid, but I am seeing this as an opportunity to learn to be with. They come at night, ok here they are, greet them and be with them while I do something nice, like read a book, watch TV, or if feeling low listenning to the podcasts of positive stories that Martin has in Spotify. It helps me through the night with thoughts that come up that trigger my insecurities and wobbly trust feeling that I is growing towards my natural ability to sleep.

I also have a sleep window of 5.5 hours and when I get up at 6:30 it’s super hard specially when I was just sleeping ?
I just do something small like brush my teeth and that helps me with the next thing.

I am stil committed today despite 2 consecutive nights of 2 to 3 hours of sleep. I am committed to get to know myself and give love to myself when I am wakeful as opposed to sleeping. I think I have tried it all to reject that part of myself (the insomniac side of me), so I see the idea of sleeping more as the cherry on top of the cake. Let’s see how it goes.

[anmareta]

Thanks for your response! It sounds great! I am struggling during this first week, but I thought I would give it a try and still stay open and committed and see how it goes.

[anmareta]

Hi Rem,

You are not alone one this. I struggle as well with sleepless nights. It has been 4 days since staring he suggestions from the free online course and I feel quite demotivated tonight. It went really well the first two nights, I slept 6 hours each night. However, the last two nights have been rough. One I slept 2 hours and tonight which I have not slept.
My mind goes bunckers thinking how is this possible? – I have enough sleep drive, I did not sleep well the night before. Then, I tell myself I guess my body is not sleepy enough yet. My body will give me the sleep I need when I need it. It’s like I am learning to trust my body. I find it challenging specially with setbacks, but trying to stay committed and open.
I think my arousal is still not low and keeps me awake, but trying to let go of that and stay open to the other nights.
It is challenging but helps me to see the stories on YouTube from others who have done it and also at times had 2 nights in a row of sleepless nights.
I have been on medication for 2 years, so the 2 nights of sleepless nights is again new to me and scary, but I think is a part of ACT as well for me to accept my wakefulness and the pains that come with it. This too shall pass. I want to fight the wakefulness because is painful but is that what I am trying to practice tonight kind of like let it be. I am awake, my body is not sleepy enough fine. Sleep will come at some point
Not sure if this helps, I don’t even know if this is a good approach. Kind of trying here and there, but you are not alone in this.

[anmareta]

Great post! 3 days trying CBT-i
Your posts help me build my sleep confidence which is shaken at the moment.
I had 2 good nights of 5 to 6 hours of sleep and one with lke 2.
I had wake up arousal on he night of 2 hours when going to bed so implementing the yo-yo technique, couch – bed. Reading your posts help me see this too shall pass and not controlling it. Letting go of thinking how can I stop the wake up arousal when I go to bed? Just knowing that sleep will come despite and going to the couch until I am sleepy again.

[anmareta]

Hi all,
I am so grateful for all your messages. I feel super supported. Thanksssss!!!! 🙂

@Jaran
In terms of medications, indeed I have tampered then off with the help of my GP. It was challenging but now I feel more grounded which is great! Because the withdrawal period was quite something. It was a roller coaster. Even though during that time I was sleeping, I would wake up and had no energy to do anything or not even wanted to.
Now sometimes when I sleep like 4 hours, I feel energized and enthusiastic about life. However, my mind is like you should not feel like that because you only slept 4 hours.
Indeed, I noticed that being on medication for 2 years has affected my sleep confidence and carefree atiitude about sleep.
Today I woke up with 2 hours of sleep, I feel tired, but I feel myself which I am really grateful for and the challenge is to remain calm and letting go of controlling sleep. However, I think this will take time.

@Chee Hiung Yong how many weeks did you take the course for?

@Scott definitely will check a YouTube video today!

[anmareta]

Hey Jaran! Welcome! Are you also doing the online course?

[anmareta]

Thank you for your message Scott. I think what I am nervous about is not being able to cope with my emotional state when I get one hour or no sleep at all.
When I get 5 hours or 4 is doable for me, but sometimes without meds I can have a couple of days of one hour or less and I find it hard to cope with my mood and state of mind.
But I am trying to stay open to it and this forum seems to be supportive in that ?

[anmareta]

I am still struggling with insomnia, just started seeing this website as an option. Your stories are really encouraging. There is a part of me that says it won’t work for me, I am the off one out, but hey why not give it a try at least??

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