Sleep-related worry and anxiety is a primary driver of chronic insomnia — the more we worry about sleep, the more difficult sleep becomes, and the more difficult sleep becomes, the more we worry.
If you recognize that anxious thoughts and sleep-related worry are causing your insomnia, there are a couple of things you can do.
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Why CBT-I is so effective when worry, anxiety, and a racing mind are fueling your chronic insomnia: [ Ссылка ]
First of all, don't try to block these thoughts from entering your mind. Trying not to think about something is not only virtually impossible, but it takes a lot of mental energy and effort at a time when you should be relaxing and unwinding in order for sleep to happen (in addition, the mental effort involved in trying to suppress thoughts can be a big driver of fatigue).
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Second, try to identify the thought or thoughts that are making you feel worried or anxious. Next time you feel worried or anxious, ask yourself what was just going through your mind. Once you uncover the thought that is causing worry or anxiety you can evaluate the accuracy of that thought.
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Very often, these thoughts can feel absolutely, indisputably, 100% true when we first think them. However, if we take a step back to evaluate their accuracy, we can often reveal a few "chinks in the armor". When we are able to recognize that these thoughts aren't entirely accurate, it can reduce their power.
The result is less worry, less anxiety, and better conditions for sleep.
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If you have chronic insomnia, scheduling time for daytime worry can help calm the mind at night: [ Ссылка ]
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My name is Martin Reed and I am the founder of Insomnia Coach®. I offer sleep coaching services that give people with insomnia all the skills and support they need to enjoy better sleep for the rest of their lives. I also offer a free two-week sleep training course for people with insomnia at [ Ссылка ]
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All content found on the Insomnia Coach YouTube channel is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice or medical treatment 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 other licensed healthcare provider. All content is provided as is, and without warranties.
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