How Gerry used mindfulness & self-kindness to move away from an endless struggle with insomnia (#52)

YouTube Video VVVMNUxzTFVlVkEyal9Wc2w1NjI1c2hRLnlOQXBkNkUzN0VF

Ready to get your life back from insomnia? Learn more about the sleep coaching programs I offer at https://insomniacoach.com<br /><br />Gerry struggled with sleep for decades. The more he struggled, the more effort he put into sleep and the more effort he put into sleep, the more he struggled. Eventually, Gerry realized that trying to make sleep happen was only making things even more difficult.<br /><br />With this realization, Gerry changed his approach. Instead of trying to force sleep, he practiced being kinder to himself when insomnia showed up. He practiced experiencing wakefulness and all the difficult thoughts and feelings that can come with it with less struggle by being more of an observer of those things rather than an opponent of them.<br /><br />Gerry also practiced mindfulness to help build skill in being more present when insomnia and all the difficult stuff that comes with it tried to sweep him away.<br /><br />Today, Gerry is not only sleeping better but — because he is less tangled up in an ongoing struggle — he is enjoying an improved quality of life. Sleep has become a natural part of his daily routine, rather than a challenge to overcome.<br /><br />Chapters:<br /><br />00:00:00 Introduction<br />00:03:02 Law School Stress and Insomnia<br />00:05:01 Early Warning Signs and Childhood Trauma<br />00:06:19 Sleep Becomes a Project<br />00:08:45 Trying Harder Doesn’t Work<br />00:10:58 Cultural Pressures and Performance<br />00:13:03 Self-Compassion During Struggles<br />00:15:38 Sleep Pressure and Physical Consequences<br />00:17:41 Early Morning Awakenings<br />00:20:13 Responding Differently to Wakefulness<br />00:22:44 From Endurance to Acceptance<br />00:24:31 Acceptance Without Resignation<br />00:26:08 Choosing How We Respond to Thoughts<br />00:27:55 Observing Thoughts Without Reacting<br />00:30:07 Getting Swept Away by Thoughts<br />00:31:52 No One Escapes Difficult Thoughts<br />00:33:04 Practice Builds Psychological Flexibility<br />00:34:35 Zooming Out From the Struggle<br />00:36:05 The Illusion of Perfect Lives<br />00:38:04 Understanding and Using Mindfulness<br />00:40:10 Being Present Over Time Traveling<br />00:42:23 Applying Mindfulness to Sleep<br />00:44:06 Mind Wandering and Refocusing<br />00:46:17 The Brain’s Autopilot Mode<br />00:48:00 Finding Bright Spots in Tough Times<br />00:50:00 Learning From Children About Sleep<br />00:51:04 Final Reflections and Closing Advice<br />00:56:53 Outro and Coaching Options<br />00:59:13 Final Words and Reminder<br /><br />▶ 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<br /><br />You can subscribe to the Insomnia Coach® Podcast through the following platforms:<br /><br />Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/insomnia-coach-podcast/id1469454957<br /><br />Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbnNvbW5pYWNvYWNoLmNvbS9mZWVkL3BvZGNhc3Qv<br /><br />Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eVnnsowPQAnS4cZX73dEf<br /><br />Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=432360<br /><br />TuneIn: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Health--Wellness-Podcasts/Insomnia-Coach(R)-Podcast-p1232227/<br /><br />PodBean: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/gz957-98ea6/Insomnia-Coach%C2%AE-Podcast <br /><br />iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-insomnia-coach-podcast-46606122/<br /><br />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 https://insomniacoach.com/sleep-training/?ref=youtube092923<br /><br />You can also find me here:<br /><br />Website: https://insomniacoach.com<br />Twitter: https://twitter.com/insomniacoach<br />Facebook: https://facebook.com/insomniacoach<br />Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myinsomniacoach/<br /><br />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.<br /><br />#insomnia<br />#sleep

Insomnia Coach 2.4K views September 29, 2023 8:51 pm

Ready to get your life back from insomnia? Learn more about the sleep coaching programs I offer at https://insomniacoach.com

Gerry struggled with sleep for decades. The more he struggled, the more effort he put into sleep and the more effort he put into sleep, the more he struggled. Eventually, Gerry realized that trying to make sleep happen was only making things even more difficult.

With this realization, Gerry changed his approach. Instead of trying to force sleep, he practiced being kinder to himself when insomnia showed up. He practiced experiencing wakefulness and all the difficult thoughts and feelings that can come with it with less struggle by being more of an observer of those things rather than an opponent of them.

Gerry also practiced mindfulness to help build skill in being more present when insomnia and all the difficult stuff that comes with it tried to sweep him away.

Today, Gerry is not only sleeping better but — because he is less tangled up in an ongoing struggle — he is enjoying an improved quality of life. Sleep has become a natural part of his daily routine, rather than a challenge to overcome.

Chapters:

00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:02 Law School Stress and Insomnia
00:05:01 Early Warning Signs and Childhood Trauma
00:06:19 Sleep Becomes a Project
00:08:45 Trying Harder Doesn’t Work
00:10:58 Cultural Pressures and Performance
00:13:03 Self-Compassion During Struggles
00:15:38 Sleep Pressure and Physical Consequences
00:17:41 Early Morning Awakenings
00:20:13 Responding Differently to Wakefulness
00:22:44 From Endurance to Acceptance
00:24:31 Acceptance Without Resignation
00:26:08 Choosing How We Respond to Thoughts
00:27:55 Observing Thoughts Without Reacting
00:30:07 Getting Swept Away by Thoughts
00:31:52 No One Escapes Difficult Thoughts
00:33:04 Practice Builds Psychological Flexibility
00:34:35 Zooming Out From the Struggle
00:36:05 The Illusion of Perfect Lives
00:38:04 Understanding and Using Mindfulness
00:40:10 Being Present Over Time Traveling
00:42:23 Applying Mindfulness to Sleep
00:44:06 Mind Wandering and Refocusing
00:46:17 The Brain’s Autopilot Mode
00:48:00 Finding Bright Spots in Tough Times
00:50:00 Learning From Children About Sleep
00:51:04 Final Reflections and Closing Advice
00:56:53 Outro and Coaching Options
00:59:13 Final Words and Reminder

▶ 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

Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbnNvbW5pYWNvYWNoLmNvbS9mZWVkL3BvZGNhc3Qv

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 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 https://insomniacoach.com/sleep-training/?ref=youtube092923

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