We all know it, we all struggle with it: stress.
Life is busy, there’s a million things to do and no time to do them, and at the end of the day we lie in bed and think about all the things we didn’t manage to squeeze into our already packed schedule. Sound familiar? I bet it does!
All this leads to another common enemy: insomnia.
Said enemy can come in many forms, unable to fall asleep, waking up too early, waking up constantly throughout the night, or even nightmares. A few sleepless nights might not be too terrible, but if the issue persists it can be a major detriment to your quality of life.
Sleep deprivation is a serious condition with a variety of symptoms, all of them unpleasant. This may include:
- Falling asleep when not intending to
- Fatigue and/or lethargy
- Feeling irritable
- Low motivation
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Having trouble remembering things
- Processing information at a slower pace
- Poor balance and coordination
- Increased appetite, especially for calorie dense foods
- Craving (more) caffeine
All these things can have an impact on your overall health, your work, and even your relationships. So if you relate to any of the above symptoms, it might be time to consider getting some help.
Everyday stress might not be the only thing affecting you. Many times there are underlying problems causing us anxiety, or it might be as simple as lacking a healthy bedtime routine. You might not believe it, but relaxation is a skill, and, like any other, it takes practice. Mindfulness and routine can help you feel safe, which in turn might help your body rest easier.
Working through your sleep problems with a therapist can help you gain a new perspective, or try out strategies you may not have thought of otherwise. Along with mindfulness, I use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which has been shown to be an effective treatment against insomnia. The best thing about CBT is that most people can try it, and unlike medication, there are absolutely no side-effects to worry about.
If you would like to explore some solutions for your sleeping problems, or you’re unsure where to start, I offer a FREE 30min chat to help you pin down your needs and figure out if I’m the right therapist for you.
