What is insomnia trying to tell you?
Have you ever been unable to sleep - no matter what you do try you just seem to toss and turn all night? The more you get stressed about it the more it gets worse...and then, when you finally fall asleep, do you stay asleep? Well, this is the mind's way of telling you that there is something in your daily life that you require to address. Once it starts to affect your sleep pattern you can unwind very quickly and feel everything is magnified out of proportion; but in reality it just the sleep deprivation starting to play tricks on your mind.
So, what is trying to tell you? Do you know that, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the times you wake up can be an indicator and relevant to the treatment required? It can give your Hypnotherapist a good starting point and indicator as to where the issue is.
As an example, if you were up at the following times it could mean the following:
1. 9pm - 11pm - could indicate that you're suffering from stress.
2. 11pm - 1am - you could be experiencing emotional disappointment.
3. 1am - 3am - you could have anger issues to resolve.
4. 3am - 5am - could indicate a spiritual awakening
5. 5am - 7am - could possibly mean emotional blockages.
(https://www.powerofpositivity.com/if-you-wake-up-at-the-same-time-every-night-this-may-be-why/)
So, that being said, what can you do to remedy the situation or alleviate the symptomology?
- A good sleeping routine is essential: go to bed at a set time and get up at a set time.
- No TV or reading in bed. The bedroom should be associated with relaxing and sleep.
- No napping regardless how tired you become - this just re-enforces the pattern.
- Avoid coffee, tea or any stimulants before bed and no alcohol (as this may get you to sleep but will awake you when your liver has to process it, it fires adrenaline which will wake you up generally 3am).
- Daily exercise helps with getting rid of the stress from the day but only during the daytime not after 5pm.
If all these fail, try altering your bed time by one hour - going to sleep one hour later alters your daily cycle. This cycle effectively allows you to reset when you sleep by going to bed later and getting up 30 minutes early. This can help with resetting your 24 hour cycle.
There is nothing worse than not being able to sleep and once it takes hold it can effect your well being very quickly - so take back control of your sleep cycle and reset the patterns that have lead to this behaviour. A good night sleep can regenerate the mind and body; it allows us to think clearly and be more productive.
So, if you're struggling to sleep and you tried all the above, you may want to consider visiting a hypnotherapist to allow them to assist you with retraining the patterns in your mind. They can help you with the elusive good night sleep, because everything seems better afterwards! Once properly rested it will ease the underlying issues that has caused the insomnia in the first place.
Remember: you have the control of your life, so why not make it amazing and be the best version of yourself...because anything is possible.