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Frustration and fear is natural and normal — and, every time it shows up you have the opportunity to practice responding to it in a more workable way. A way that might involve less struggle, less effort, and less battling. After all, your experience probably tells you that fighting this difficult stuff doesn’t make it any easier, right?
—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.
It’s difficult, right? If only there was some kind of secret switch to turn off that hyperarousal — and yet, there’s not. If there was it might get switched off accidentally and you wouldn’t be able to respond to a real threat that required immediate action!
Fortunately, all is not lost because we can still control how we respond to that hyperarousal. If we respond by going to war with it, trying to fight it, it can become even more difficult. So, perhaps a different approach might be worth exploring — an approach that involves moving away from the struggle that makes it more difficult.
Instead of trying to fight or avoid it, perhaps it might be worth seeing if you can acknowledge it when it shows up and practice allowing it to come and go as it chooses. Perhaps being kind to yourself in return, too.
If your experience tells you that it cannot be controlled anyway, why go to the effort of trying to achieve the impossible?
—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.
Have you asked others in your house what they do to make sleep happen and how they respond when they wake at night? Perhaps there might be an insight there?
—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.
It sure sounds as though you’ve got an early win in there, Frank — and that has helped you recognize that you are on a workable path forward. The path won’t always be smooth but you always get to choose the direction you move in (and you can always change direction if you ever find yourself heading in the wrong direction at any time in the future)!
@Kriskin1 — As I mentioned in my recent reply to your post in the client forum, the best way of getting rid of the battle might be to withdraw from the battle! To practice moving away from trying to control what cannot be controlled. To practice moving away from the struggle that makes everything more difficult. Ideally, while also being kind to yourself — because this is difficult.—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.
You got it, Frank! Tracking isn’t usually helpful since it can bring more focus toward sleep, which cannot be directly controlled anyway! Our energy is probably better used doing things that matter and that keep us moving toward the life we want to live — our actions are always within our control 🙂
—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.
It’s great that you are able to recognize you’re in a battle — because that means you can take steps to practice withdrawing from that battle!
Without the battle, there’s no constant loop because you aren’t tangled up in a struggle, trying to control what cannot be controlled.
When your brain generates thoughts as it does its job of looking out for you, part of withdrawing from the battle might involve acknowledging those thoughts and making space for them to exist and to come and go as they please.
Do you think the AWAKE exercise might be helpful to practice at night, so you have the opportunity to build some skill in moving away from the battle you described?
Since you have found that you are a human being with a human mind that can generate unhelpful and distracting thoughts during the day, too, perhaps practicing the NOW exercise during the day might also help you build some skill in being more present when your mind tries pulling you away in an unhelpful way?
You know from experience that you can’t control what your mind does, so perhaps the energy that might be used to engage in a struggle might be better used developing skill in bringing your focus back to the present so you can do what matters, even when your mind is generating unhelpful thoughts and feelings and even when it tries pulling you away from where you are and what you are doing.
Do let me know your thoughts!
—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.
You’re welcome — glad you found the video helpful!
—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.
My opinion is that if you feel they’re helpful, that’s all that matters — you are the expert on you!
What I would say is that the human body doesn’t require supplements or medication to generate sleep 🙂
—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.
Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your story! What techniques have you started to implement since you found the podcast and why do you feel they are generating results?
—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.
Welcome to the forum! What specific changes have you made over the past six weeks?
—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.
Nothing unique or unusual going on there, mathaiias — you might find this video helpful: How to stop the sleep roller coaster and make sleep more consistent and more predictable.
—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.
Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear how difficult things are for you right now. There’s nothing that stands out as unique or unusual in your post — it sounds like you might be a bit tangled up in the usual struggle that insomnia tends to trigger.
You might find it helpful to enroll in my free insomnia sleep training course and see if that gives you any ideas on how to respond to all this difficult stuff in a different way.
—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.
That’s interesting. Thanks for sharing!
—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.
Your experience isn’t unique or unusual and, if there’s no medical explanation, it’s likely a symptom of hyperarousal. For as long as you try to fight or avoid hyperarousal you are more likely to get tangled up in a struggle with it that can make it more difficult and make sleep less likely.
It makes sense that it feel uncontrollable — because it isn’t! If it was controllable, you wouldn’t be in this situation, right? You’d have “controlled it away”! Perhaps the control agenda (which is TOTALLY understandable) is a big source of the struggle?
We’ll be really exploring all these issues in a lot more detail as you work through the course 🙂
—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.
Those sensations are really difficult, aren’t they? If there’s no medical explanation for them, they could be a physical symptom of hyperarousal — your brain doing its job of looking out for you and trying to protect you. It’s just that it’s trying so hard, it’s getting in the way a bit — kind of like an over-enthusiastic friend who is always checking in on you and always wanting to hang out!
The thing with hyperarousal is, it comes from a good place — but it doesn’t feel good, so our normal response is to try to fight or avoid it.
Unfortunately, that strategy doesn’t usually help — if you saw a child about to cross the road as a truck was speeding toward them, you’d yell at that child to stop, right?
If they ignored you, what would you do? Stop yelling and let them cross the road and get mown down by that truck? You’d probably yell even louder and more frantically, right?
And that’s what our brain can end up doing if we try to fight or avoid hyperarousal — it’s looking out for us, thinking there’s a threat present and we are ignoring it. So, it’s going to yell louder and generate even more hyperarousal in response.
So, with all this in mind, perhaps it might be helpful to practice responding in a different way? Instead of trying to fight or avoid, you might try acknowledging the thoughts and feelings your brain is generating (even though they can feel really unpleasant). If you’re feeling really openminded, perhaps you might even thank your brain for looking out for you!
And, at the same time, perhaps it might be helpful to explore ways you might be able to train your brain that wakefulness isn’t a threat it needs to be so alert to protect you from at night? Perhaps you might consider ways of experiencing wakefulness with less struggle. If there’s not a nightly battle occurring when wakefulness shows up, perhaps your brain can learn that it’s not something it needs to be so alert to protect you from at night?
I hope there’s something useful here!
—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.
