How Nick stopped his mind (and sleep) from controlling his life by letting go of the struggle (#41)

YouTube Video VVVMNUxzTFVlVkEyal9Wc2w1NjI1c2hRLlB2bWNObGZsU3RF

Ready to get your life back from insomnia? Learn more about the sleep coaching programs I offer at https://insomniacoach.com<br /><br />Nick’s insomnia journey began in 2000 when he relocated and started a new job. Stress, uncertainty, and anxiety took over his life as he found that the more he tried to fight or avoid his thoughts the more powerful they became.<br /><br />Nick felt helpless. He didn’t know how to deal with the difficult thoughts and feelings he was experiencing and he didn’t know how to improve his sleep. The more he tried, the more he struggled.<br /><br />In this episode, Nick shares how he adopted a new approach to dealing with difficult thoughts and feelings. Instead of trying to control them, he began to acknowledge them and make space for them. Instead of fighting with them and getting distracted by them, he validated them and then redirected his attention on actions that would help him move toward the life he wanted to live.<br /><br />Nick practiced kindly bringing his mind back to the present whenever it started to time travel. He began to notice and savor all the things he was missing out on when he found himself running on autopilot. He started to focus on living a life aligned with his values — doing things that were important to him — even after difficult nights and even in the presence of uncomfortable thoughts and feelings.<br /><br />Today, Nick has a different and more workable relationship with sleep and the full range of thoughts and feelings he experiences as a human being. He is no longer haunted by sleep. He sees sleep as part of his life but not his entire life.<br /><br />Chapters:<br /><br />00:00:00 Introduction<br />00:03:01 Life Changes and Early Struggles<br />00:05:02 Why Sleep Issues Persisted<br />00:07:00 Getting Trapped by Thoughts<br />00:09:14 Typical Night During the Struggle<br />00:12:33 The Cycle of Fear and Sleep<br />00:14:25 Anxiety and the Brain's Role<br />00:16:08 Daytime Effects of Insomnia<br />00:18:07 Shame, Isolation, and Not Talking<br />00:21:18 Social Media and Hidden Struggles<br />00:23:05 The Power of Validation<br />00:25:16 Acknowledging Without Controlling<br />00:27:03 Behavior vs. Outcome Focus<br />00:29:11 Living by Values, Not Fear<br />00:31:56 Sleep Diary as a Helpful Tool<br />00:34:22 Creating Space for What Matters<br />00:35:52 Reframing the Struggle<br />00:38:08 Noticing and Savoring the Present<br />00:40:18 Letting Go of the Fix-It Mentality<br />00:43:06 Awareness Over Control<br />00:45:59 Nighttime Strategies and Sleep Window<br />00:48:50 Making Peace With Wakefulness<br />00:51:03 Staying Awake to Get Sleepy<br />00:53:02 Long-Term Routine and Morning Commitment<br />00:55:02 Holding the Line With Commitment<br />00:57:03 Accountability and Support<br />00:59:07 Sleep Today: No Longer a Specter<br />01:00:33 Normalizing the Sleep Experience<br />01:01:26 Final Thoughts and Encouragement<br />01:03:33 Advice for Those Feeling Hopeless<br />01:05:40 Closing Thanks and Farewell<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=youtube080422<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 4K views August 4, 2022 8:18 pm

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

Nick’s insomnia journey began in 2000 when he relocated and started a new job. Stress, uncertainty, and anxiety took over his life as he found that the more he tried to fight or avoid his thoughts the more powerful they became.

Nick felt helpless. He didn’t know how to deal with the difficult thoughts and feelings he was experiencing and he didn’t know how to improve his sleep. The more he tried, the more he struggled.

In this episode, Nick shares how he adopted a new approach to dealing with difficult thoughts and feelings. Instead of trying to control them, he began to acknowledge them and make space for them. Instead of fighting with them and getting distracted by them, he validated them and then redirected his attention on actions that would help him move toward the life he wanted to live.

Nick practiced kindly bringing his mind back to the present whenever it started to time travel. He began to notice and savor all the things he was missing out on when he found himself running on autopilot. He started to focus on living a life aligned with his values — doing things that were important to him — even after difficult nights and even in the presence of uncomfortable thoughts and feelings.

Today, Nick has a different and more workable relationship with sleep and the full range of thoughts and feelings he experiences as a human being. He is no longer haunted by sleep. He sees sleep as part of his life but not his entire life.

Chapters:

00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:01 Life Changes and Early Struggles
00:05:02 Why Sleep Issues Persisted
00:07:00 Getting Trapped by Thoughts
00:09:14 Typical Night During the Struggle
00:12:33 The Cycle of Fear and Sleep
00:14:25 Anxiety and the Brain’s Role
00:16:08 Daytime Effects of Insomnia
00:18:07 Shame, Isolation, and Not Talking
00:21:18 Social Media and Hidden Struggles
00:23:05 The Power of Validation
00:25:16 Acknowledging Without Controlling
00:27:03 Behavior vs. Outcome Focus
00:29:11 Living by Values, Not Fear
00:31:56 Sleep Diary as a Helpful Tool
00:34:22 Creating Space for What Matters
00:35:52 Reframing the Struggle
00:38:08 Noticing and Savoring the Present
00:40:18 Letting Go of the Fix-It Mentality
00:43:06 Awareness Over Control
00:45:59 Nighttime Strategies and Sleep Window
00:48:50 Making Peace With Wakefulness
00:51:03 Staying Awake to Get Sleepy
00:53:02 Long-Term Routine and Morning Commitment
00:55:02 Holding the Line With Commitment
00:57:03 Accountability and Support
00:59:07 Sleep Today: No Longer a Specter
01:00:33 Normalizing the Sleep Experience
01:01:26 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
01:03:33 Advice for Those Feeling Hopeless
01:05:40 Closing Thanks and Farewell

▶ 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=youtube080422

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