How Summer let go of trying to control her sleep and regained control over her life (#58)

Ready to get your life back from insomnia? Learn more about my sleep coaching programs at https://insomniacoach.com When Summer experienced consecutive nights of insomnia, sleep started to consume her life. She started taking time off work and she began endlessly researching sleep. Summer felt that if she could get rid of anxiety and stress things would improve — but this led to even more of a struggle as Summer went to war with her mind. Sleep became an obsession. It was all she could think about. Summer felt as though she was losing control. She felt helpless. She started to blame herself. It was becoming increasingly difficult for her to live the life she wanted to live. The more Summer tried to fix her sleep, the more she seemed to struggle. Sleep-related rules and rituals didn’t work. Changing her diet didn’t work. Changing the temperature in her room didn’t work. Trying to eliminate blue light didn’t work. Ultimately, what worked for Summer was not trying. She realized that she couldn’t control sleep. And, by no longer trying to make sleep happen, she started to struggle less with sleep and she had more energy to live the life she wanted to live. Summer also started to be kinder to herself. She stopped trying to fight or avoid the thoughts her mind would generate as it did its job of looking out for her. She acknowledged her thoughts and feelings and allowed them to come and go. She expanded the focus of her attention. She spent more time with friends. She lived by her values. Summer stopped trying to control sleep and she stopped trying to control her thoughts and feelings. As a result, sleep no longer controls Summer’s life. Thoughts and feelings no longer control Summer’s life. Summer controls her own life. ▶ Subscribe to the Insomnia Coach channel (and be sure to click the notification bell afterward​ so you don't miss any videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL5LsLUeVA2j_Vsl5625shQ?sub_confirmation=1 You can subscribe to the Insomnia Coach® Podcast through the following platforms: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/insomnia-coach-podcast/id1469454957 YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzlNKjoB23Ll7PSEJHquZjx4QSbZAtQy9 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eVnnsowPQAnS4cZX73dEf Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=432360 TuneIn: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Health--Wellness-Podcasts/Insomnia-Coach(R)-Podcast-p1232227/ PodBean: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/gz957-98ea6/Insomnia-Coach%C2%AE-Podcast iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-insomnia-coach-podcast-46606122/ My name is Martin Reed and I am the founder of Insomnia Coach®. I offer sleep coaching programs that will help you stop struggling with sleep so you can get your life back from insomnia. I also offer a free two-week sleep training course for insomnia at https://insomniacoach.com/sleep-training/?ref=youtube032724 You can also find me here: Website: https://insomniacoach.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/insomniacoach Facebook: https://facebook.com/insomniacoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myinsomniacoach/ All content found on the Insomnia Coach YouTube channel 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. The statements and opinions expressed by guests are their own and are not necessarily endorsed by Insomnia Coach LLC. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied. #insomnia #sleep