How Sophie recovered from postpartum insomnia by moving away from trying to control sleep (#67)

YouTube Video VVVMNUxzTFVlVkEyal9Wc2w1NjI1c2hRLndWMEhZWGVQbmF3

Ready to get your life back from insomnia? Learn more about my sleep coaching programs at https://insomniacoach.com<br /><br />Although Sophie never considered herself to be a good sleeper, things got really difficult after the birth of her son. As a new mom, she knew there would be some short-term sleep disruption — but when she was no longer able to compensate for lost sleep after her parents left and her partner returned to work, things got really difficult.<br /><br />At this point, Sophie felt desperate. She wanted to have a bigger family but thought that would be impossible if her sleep didn’t improve. She was no longer sharing a bed with her partner even though that was something that was important to her. She felt like a failure. She felt trapped. When she found the Insomnia Coach podcast, Sophie realized that she wasn’t alone and that there was a way out of the struggle.<br /><br />At this point, Sophie decided to work with me. She wanted a clear plan. A new way forward. She wanted to arm herself with skills that would help her get her life back from insomnia.<br /><br />Sophie shifted the focus of her attention away from trying to make a certain amount or type of sleep happen and toward actions that reflected her values and that kept her moving toward the life she wanted to live, independently of sleep.<br /><br />Sleep no longer predetermines how she will feel the next day or what she will do the next day. She knows she always has options and is always in control of the choices she makes. She’s back to sharing a bed with her partner. She is ready to grow her family. She is free from the insomnia struggle.<br /><br />Sophie documented more of her journey on her YouTube channel (@BeyondBirthingPelvicFloorPT). She posted this video on the day she enrolled in my online course:<br /><br />https://youtu.be/UfR5gCCBodo<br /><br />Later, she posted a follow-up to share her progress:<br /><br />https://youtu.be/wH6WAVr8vBk<br /><br />And, a short time after this episode was recorded, she posted this update with the most fantastic news 🎉 👶 🎉 :<br /><br />https://youtu.be/3izdZ4W7Eeo<br /><br />Chapters:<br /><br />00:00:00 Introduction<br />00:04:58 Starting From the Beginning<br />00:06:18 Sleep After Childbirth<br />00:08:00 Realizing It Wasn’t Just Parenting<br />00:10:15 Turning to Medication<br />00:11:14 Nothing Seemed to Work<br />00:12:45 Grieving the Loss of Future Plans<br />00:13:52 Finding the Podcast and Hope<br />00:14:59 Trying New Tools and Feeling Relief<br />00:15:51 Relapse and Breaking Point<br />00:17:04 Committing to a New Plan<br />00:18:49 Shifting Perspective Through Coaching<br />00:20:14 Redefining What’s Possible Without Sleep<br />00:21:50 Living Life Despite Sleepless Nights<br />00:23:15 Sophie’s Ongoing Transformation<br />00:25:02 Martin’s Reflections on the Struggle<br />00:26:44 Sophie on Getting Stuck in the Loop<br />00:28:29 Reclaiming Her Life Step by Step<br />00:30:02 Restoring Connection With Her Partner<br />00:31:05 Practicing Independent Action<br />00:33:01 Final Thoughts on Making Change<br />00:34:28 The Power of Doing Hard Things<br />00:36:10 Building Resilience Through Experience<br />00:37:57 Perception of Sleep vs Reality<br />00:39:45 Letting Go of Appearance Anxiety<br />00:40:35 Taking Control Through Meaningful Action<br />00:42:52 The Most Difficult but Helpful Change<br />00:45:07 Choosing the Right Kind of Difficult<br />00:47:04 Embracing Change Despite Fear<br />00:48:47 Reflecting on the Value of Support<br />00:49:49 Setting and Achieving Meaningful Goals<br />00:51:41 Timeline of Sophie’s Progress<br />00:53:14 Dealing With Setbacks Differently<br />00:54:03 Final Words of Advice<br />00:55:35 Closing Reflections<br />00:57:22 Podcast Outro<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 />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=youtube030325<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 1K views March 3, 2025 8:44 pm

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

Although Sophie never considered herself to be a good sleeper, things got really difficult after the birth of her son. As a new mom, she knew there would be some short-term sleep disruption — but when she was no longer able to compensate for lost sleep after her parents left and her partner returned to work, things got really difficult.

At this point, Sophie felt desperate. She wanted to have a bigger family but thought that would be impossible if her sleep didn’t improve. She was no longer sharing a bed with her partner even though that was something that was important to her. She felt like a failure. She felt trapped. When she found the Insomnia Coach podcast, Sophie realized that she wasn’t alone and that there was a way out of the struggle.

At this point, Sophie decided to work with me. She wanted a clear plan. A new way forward. She wanted to arm herself with skills that would help her get her life back from insomnia.

Sophie shifted the focus of her attention away from trying to make a certain amount or type of sleep happen and toward actions that reflected her values and that kept her moving toward the life she wanted to live, independently of sleep.

Sleep no longer predetermines how she will feel the next day or what she will do the next day. She knows she always has options and is always in control of the choices she makes. She’s back to sharing a bed with her partner. She is ready to grow her family. She is free from the insomnia struggle.

Sophie documented more of her journey on her YouTube channel (@BeyondBirthingPelvicFloorPT). She posted this video on the day she enrolled in my online course:

https://youtu.be/UfR5gCCBodo

Later, she posted a follow-up to share her progress:

https://youtu.be/wH6WAVr8vBk

And, a short time after this episode was recorded, she posted this update with the most fantastic news 🎉 👶 🎉 :

https://youtu.be/3izdZ4W7Eeo

Chapters:

00:00:00 Introduction
00:04:58 Starting From the Beginning
00:06:18 Sleep After Childbirth
00:08:00 Realizing It Wasn’t Just Parenting
00:10:15 Turning to Medication
00:11:14 Nothing Seemed to Work
00:12:45 Grieving the Loss of Future Plans
00:13:52 Finding the Podcast and Hope
00:14:59 Trying New Tools and Feeling Relief
00:15:51 Relapse and Breaking Point
00:17:04 Committing to a New Plan
00:18:49 Shifting Perspective Through Coaching
00:20:14 Redefining What’s Possible Without Sleep
00:21:50 Living Life Despite Sleepless Nights
00:23:15 Sophie’s Ongoing Transformation
00:25:02 Martin’s Reflections on the Struggle
00:26:44 Sophie on Getting Stuck in the Loop
00:28:29 Reclaiming Her Life Step by Step
00:30:02 Restoring Connection With Her Partner
00:31:05 Practicing Independent Action
00:33:01 Final Thoughts on Making Change
00:34:28 The Power of Doing Hard Things
00:36:10 Building Resilience Through Experience
00:37:57 Perception of Sleep vs Reality
00:39:45 Letting Go of Appearance Anxiety
00:40:35 Taking Control Through Meaningful Action
00:42:52 The Most Difficult but Helpful Change
00:45:07 Choosing the Right Kind of Difficult
00:47:04 Embracing Change Despite Fear
00:48:47 Reflecting on the Value of Support
00:49:49 Setting and Achieving Meaningful Goals
00:51:41 Timeline of Sophie’s Progress
00:53:14 Dealing With Setbacks Differently
00:54:03 Final Words of Advice
00:55:35 Closing Reflections
00:57:22 Podcast Outro

▶ 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

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=youtube030325

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