Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Just an idea ….. when I either have difficulty falling asleep or wake up & cannot fall back asleep, I first take note of how sleepy I feel. If I feel wide awake, I get up & go read or watch tv for a while. If I feel really sleepy but I’m just not able to fall back asleep, I do what I call my “walk around“. I walk around the house with the lights off (we have enough night lights so that I can see) for just a few minutes & then get back in bed. A good percentage of the time, it seems to reset my brain & helps me fall asleep. It also helps when I’m experiencing very light sleep that I can’t seem to transition out of. Hope this helps
Unfortunately, I personally haven’t had much success with the AWAKE exercise. If I get too anxious lying in bed, I have to get up, go in another room & read or watch tv. It seems to calm me down & resets my brain
DITTO for me as well. It’s so frustrating! Before the beginning of my sleep window, I usually read or watch TV. I’m so sleepy, it’s difficult to keep my eyes open. Multiple times, I’ve fallen asleep while fast forwarding using the remote. But then, as soon as I get into bed, I’m wide awake & can’t fall asleep. I get out of bed & read or watch TV. It can take me hours to actually fall asleep. I have not found any help using the AWAKE exercise either. I don’t feel at all stressed or anxious when I get into bed, but my brain just goes on high alert. When I get into bed, I remind myself that I can’t control sleep, there’s nothing to fear, just rest, etc. It’s a difficult balance because I feel that the more I think about sleep, research sleep etc., the more elusive sleep can become. I keep moving forward with the program but any suggestions as how to rewire my brain, would be helpful.
Thank you Michael, your insight really resonated with me. I’ve been struggling with insomnia for over 20 years & I know it’s a control issue for me. I’m reading parts of your post before I go to bed as It helps remind me to just let go. Letting go of control isn’t easy but I’ll keep practicing
Thanks for your comments, Ingis. It’s so helpful to hear how other insomniacs are dealing with various sleep struggles. Congrats to you for being off sleep meds for 6-7 weeks!! I’m impressed, that’s not easy! I watched a video from a different sleep coach that suggested not using sleep meds intermittingly, which is what I’ve been doing. I’ve been using them only for high pressure nights. He suggested making a plan & setting a date to totally stop taking sleep aids. He suggests continuing to take the sleep aids while reducing the dosage slowly towards your stop date. He also says to give yourself grace if you end up reverting back to taking a sleep med for a high pressure date. Just keep moving forward. So please don’t beat yourself up because you took a pill for an important date. Hope you had a good time! I’m going to try this method for now & see how it goes. Good luck to you too!
I’m so sorry to hear about what you’re going through. Wish I could give you a hug. I’m happy to hear you’re seeing a psychiatrist. Is it possible to get your appointment moved up or send him an email? I’ve been struggling with insomnia for a long time & have certainly experienced periods of depression along the way. Currently, I’ve been trying to eliminate sleeping aids but unfortunately that has been sending me into night after night of very little or no sleep. I just become desperate for sleep & I become anxious & panicky. The more bad nights I have in a row, the worse my anxiety can become & sleep pressure doesn’t seem strong enough to offset my hyperarousal when I get into bed. I’m trying a new strategy this week. I’m giving myself a break & taking a sleep aid if I go a couple days with little sleep. I’ll see if this helps my anxiety.
Have you listened to Martin’s podcasts? Listening to the stories of ex-insomniacs has helped give me the encouragement to keep going with the sleep window & the course. These are people who have really struggled with insomnia only to come out on the other side. It’s so very inspiring! Hang in there… WE CAN SLEEP!!
Thanks Louis for your reply. I think you’re absolutely right that the more pressure one puts on themselves of the necessity to sleep well, the worst the insomnia can become. I do try to give myself options in case I have a poor night of sleep before an event & it does help somewhat. Hopefully, as I follow the course & lessen my struggles, my fear of not being able to sleep will fade to non-existence
Hi Baukje,
I’m right there with you! I actually just posted about this same struggle in my week #4 forum. I’ve always used Ambien or an over-the-counter sleep aid to help me sleep before an event. It doesn’t always work but it gives me some sleep confidence. I also especially worry about driving because I’ve come extremely close to falling asleep at the wheel. I also find that even taking a sleep aid occasionally, can erode my sleep confidence on nights following the event. I drive for over an hour every week to take care of my 2 yo grandson for the day. My son & his wife depend on me. I want to stop taking sleeping pills completely but I’m so afraid of not sleeping adequately the evening prior to this. For now, I’m limiting myself to only taking a sleeping pill the evening before I have to drive a distance. I’ll be anxious to hear any advice you receive on your post. You’re not alone!!Hi Raju, I’ve been struggling with insomnia for over 20 years so I totally understand your desperation. The first night of my sleep window I didn’t sleep at all. Second night wasn’t much better….. but now 2 weeks into my sleep window & my sleep is getting better. Not perfect mind you, but better. After having 5 nights in a row of good, deep sleep, I realized how good I felt. Stay the course. We’re in this together
