Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Tim,
I started the program way back in October of 2023. I was not disciplined at all!! I quickly went through most of the program, not getting anything out of it.
After assessing my actions, which I admit were not good, I decided to clamp down and start over. I am now just entering the second week. The first week kicked my butt, but I realize I have to do this!! Martin helped me with trying to readjust my sleep window which I started last night. What I’m doing is during my awake time in bed I started listening to various podcasts till I feel sleepy.
I am committed to stay with the program!! What has happened is listening to folks that are way ahead of me like you, telling their story of some or great success has given me hope!!
I have suffered with insomnia for about 20 years. I went through cancer treatment then, was prescribed Benzo’s for sleep. Needless to say, when I got off them 5 years ago my anxiety spiked!! It’s been difficult journey. Martin’s programs give me some hope of living a good life!Thank you, Martin, I needed the encouragement!! I am not a quitter.
I believe what happened is I had a flare up of the Benzos when I started the course. What I need to do at night when I am practicing the AWKE program is tell my problem-solving brain it’s alright, does that makes sense.
So, I understand Martin, if I say, go to bed at 10:00 pm, process the AWAKE program when it comes into effect, not setting an alarm, does that make sense?
Rubylight
Thank you for the encouraging note. I just completed week #1. I have to be honest, it has been brutal!! My sleep window is 11:00 pm till 6:00 am. I have strictly maintained the window hours, but otherwise I’ve been all over the board!! I go to bed extremely sleepy, but once I get in bed, I’m wide awake!! What I do is listen to a few Biography podcasts, fall asleep, but wake up right after their over. At this point I either get up or toss & turn. I’m averaging 2 hours of sleep a night.
Starting tonight I will be strictly adhering to the WAKE program. I am hoping and praying that at some point I will see improvement. Was this you after week #1?Again thank you
I can only tell you that benzodiazepines for sleeping are extremely addictive, and the withdraw is terrible!!
Is the sleep window the amount of sleep I’m getting now or the sleep I’m setting my goal for?
Thank you so much for the inspirational message. Yes, I am spiritual.
I have already today incorporated what you said for the NOW lesson. Tonight, I plan on using your AWAKE technic. I pray it helps.I’ve had a light insomnia problem since I retired from law enforcement, as well as tapering off Benzo’s that I was prescribed many years ago for sleep.
When I started this program, I guess I was kind of naive how intense it is.
Over the last few weeks, I realized I have to make a better effort in trying to understand the program.
Having said all this, I focused in on both of these 2 lessons. I admit I struggle absorbing what I read as well as what Martin is saying. The advice you give for the 2 lessons, AWAKE and NOW, I am going to try what you told me, which I greatly appreciate!!!
My concern now is in a month I start my yards jobs as well as umpiring baseball. In June my grandson is getting married.
My hope is within the next month I can show some improvement. This in itself is stressful. Along with this current course running out in a month.
So last night I went to bed at 10:15 pm. I was sleepy and in fact fell asleep for about 5 minutes. I laid there for a bit, a tad disappointed on waking up. Now here’s where I got stuck. I said to myself “I would like to rest” and left it at that. Nothing, I now moved to the other end of the bed, nothing, I then read a few of Martin’s lessons on my phone, including the AWAKE 3 times. I struggled absorbing the information, now becoming frustrated. I then came down stair, turned on TV (My wife’s a sleep in the master bedroom) watched for about half hour, still awake. Went back in the bed watched more of Martins lessons, fell asleep watching one for again 5 minutes. Woke up wide awake. This was repeated till I came down at 5:00 am. Latterly no sleep. I hope and pray what works for you will help me. Thank you very much for getting back to me!! ,I agree with you. When I go to bed, I generally fall asleep for 5 minutes or so. This is when my brain takes off. I don’t know if I should try to rest, or just lay there wake. Because the AWAKE exercise is so long, (I’ve reviewed it numerous times) I struggle going through the letters. I try real hard to allow my thoughts to be present as I go through the lesson. At the end, I’m awake, now either reading on my phone, or trying to watch TV. This by the way is about 2 hours well into my sleep window. Also I’m trying to figure out where to incorporate the Now exercise. All said, I’m really struggling.
Tim,
When I started the program, I had difficult time absorbing the information on the videos. I heard it, but could not mentally put it into play, if that makes sense.
There were parts that I could complete, the three good things, what a sleep window consisted of what sleep pressure is. But when it came to thoughts & feelings, being able to imagine the sky and floating down the river, as well as many other things, I just can’t absorb.Example: last night I go to bed at 10:30. Toss & turn, watch the AWAKE exercise, and attempt to tell myself everything Martin said. At the end, couldn’t go to sleep so I read off my phone for a hour, still no sleep, got up watch TV for about an hour, went back to bed, toss & turned, went to the opposite end of the bed, still no sleep. At the end it was 4:30 am, came downstairs. So much for a sleep window.
I have not slept in the last three days, and tomorrow I got a 9:00 am doctor appointment.
So, my plan is to go to bed tonight, if sleep doesn’t happen (I have sleep pressure) I will go through the AWAKE exercise and repeat everything above. I should point out my wife sleeps well in the master bedroom. –Martin, where I’m at if I go to bed, say at 12:00am, am struggling with nighttime wakefulness, I might not get to sleep till maybe 3:00am. Having to get out at 6:00 am, I’m getting 3 hours.
This is exactly how I feel. I can go to bed, no negative thoughts or feelings. My sleep pressure is built up, I climb into bed, trying to think of the AWAK exercise, try to think of 3 good things, tell myself I’m a good person. Lay down, saying I’m exhausted, which I am. No sleep. I try, as difficult as it is not to get upset. The only way I can fall asleep is turning on one of Martin’s podcast. At the end of the podcast I wake up, again unable to fall asleep! This is a viscous cycle!
Thanks Tim, I’m not going to give up, but I will tell you it’s very difficult. I know Martin is doing his best trying, using examples, but I struggle trying to absorb the information.
My concern is as spring approaches, where I become active, I’m concerned I won’t sleep and have energy. I know it sounds dumb.I’m trying to identify my values. I enjoy watching sports, I enjoy working in yards. I enjoy going to the gym. I rnjoy being with my 2 daughters, and grandkids. Would these be considered values?
Martin,
When I practice the AWAKE exercise, what I do is I have each letter on my phone. I go through each one as you explained it. I don’t feel any outside distractions. My concentration is the surroundings in the room, which aren’t negative.
What I do is after completing the exercise. I say the word “insomnia” many times as you showed me on one of your video’s. I then lay on the pillow, thinking rest, not sleep. Martin, at this time I have a clear mind!! After a period, time of just lying there, I reverse, laying on the other end of the bed, now with the fan blowing on my face. Chances are I get some sleep. I know this is very strange!!
