Why is sleep so important?
While sleep may feel like one long stretch of time where we’re unconscious, it’s actually made up of different stages which form a cycle. Within this cycle, there are two types of sleep, rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (non-REM).
The first type we experience is non-REM sleep. This is when we first fall asleep and gradually fall into deeper stages of sleep. During non-REM phases, our bodies repair any wear and tear from the day, build muscle and bone strength, and strengthen our immune system. The REM phase makes up about 25% of the sleep cycle and helps us process the day. It’s vital for our memory, learning and replenishing hormones such as serotonin (the feel-good hormone).
Having the odd restless night is common and tends to rectify itself quickly the following night. After a prolonged period of poor sleep, however, both mental health and physical health can be affected. This can lead to conditions such as depression, heart disease, and diabetes. It can even shorten your life expectancy.
In this video, hypnotherapist Jo Penfold explains why sleep is so important for our health and shares a self-hypnosis to encourage restful sleep.
Hypnotherapy for sleep
If you are struggling with your sleep, taking a holistic approach can help. This may include consulting with your doctor to rule out any underlying conditions and making adjustments to your lifestyle and sleep hygiene.
For many, hypnotherapy offers a natural and gentle way of supporting sleep. If your sleep problem has links to anxiety, stress and/or unhelpful habits, hypnotherapy can be especially useful.
How hypnotherapy supports better sleep
Hypnotherapy for sleep problems can help you uncover their causes and give you the tools to change any related habits or negative thought patterns.
Sleep problems can often lead to anxiety, as those affected may fear going to bed and not getting enough sleep. This anxiety can then impact your quality of sleep, creating an unhelpful cycle.
Hypnotherapy looks to reduce this anxiety by suggesting more helpful responses to your subconscious. A hypnotherapist can help you into a trance state where your subconscious is more open to suggestion. Then they can offer suggestions to change the way you think and react to your sleep problems.
If you can let go of your problems before closing your eyes to sleep, either by finding a solution or making a plan, the brain won't need to keep turning them over. A clear message can be sent that the issue is sorted (or will be sorted tomorrow) which helps invite sleep.
Hypnotherapy sessions are also, by nature, a relaxing experience. Having regular sessions can help you de-stress and learn techniques to help yourself relax, reduce stress and improve sleep.
One of the first benefits clients often experience through hypnotherapy is that their quality and length of sleep tends to improve remarkably within the first few weeks.
- Hypnotherapist, Chris O'Connor, MNCH (Reg) HPD,DSFH MAfSFH NCH (Reg)
What to expect from a sleep hypnotherapy session
When you first reach out to a hypnotherapist, they will likely arrange an initial consultation to learn more about you and what you hope to achieve with hypnotherapy. They will explain how hypnotherapy can help you and what to expect when working together.
In your sessions, your hypnotherapist will support you into a state of hypnosis or deep relaxation. They will then use their expertise to help you change the way you feel about sleep.
Often, hypnotherapists will also teach clients self-hypnosis techniques. This means you’ll be able to continue reinforcing positive changes that are started during your sessions in the comfort of your own home. Some may also recommend relaxation techniques or even give you audio downloads to listen to.
How effective is hypnotherapy for sleep problems?
Hypnotherapy in itself is a calming process. It makes sense then that there is promising research into the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for sleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, studies have shown that hypnotherapy can prompt increased slow-wave sleep, helping us to sleep more deeply. They also note that analysis of existing research has shown that the majority of people who receive hypnotherapy reported better sleep.
While more clinical studies are needed before it is considered a 'standard' treatment for sleep-related issues, it is an approach well worth exploring.
Common sleep disorders
Sleep disorders are ongoing conditions that can affect the quality of your sleep, what time you feel sleepy and how much sleep you're able to get. With the support of your doctor, identifying if you have a sleep disorder can help you be more informed to tackle the problem.
There are many different types of sleeping problems and disorders which have different sets of symptoms. Below we’ve outlined some of the more common sleep issues:
Insomnia
Perhaps the most well-known sleep disorder, insomnia is when we have difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep for long enough to feel refreshed the next morning. Often, insomnia can lead sufferers to feel extreme anxiety about getting enough sleep which then makes it even harder for them to sleep.
Nightmare disorder
Nightmare disorder is diagnosed when someone consistently wakes in their sleep because of nightmares. They tend to wake feeling very alert and may struggle to get back to sleep because of the stress caused.
Night terrors
Not to be confused with nightmares, night terrors will cause an individual to wake suddenly from sleep in a panic-stricken state. You are likely to feel disoriented and unable to communicate. If you experience night terrors, it can be common to feel like you are in danger, which may lead to you trying to ‘escape’ from the perceived threat or situation.
Restless leg syndrome
Restless leg syndrome, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological condition that causes unpleasant sensations in the legs which can only be relieved with movement. Restless leg syndrome tends to happen when a person is more relaxed, usually when they’re trying to get to sleep. This can understandably affect sleep, making sufferers feel exhausted and anxious about getting enough sleep.
Sleepwalking
Sleepwalking is when someone performs a series of actions, including walking and roaming about, while they’re asleep. The person will likely have their eyes open at the time and may appear clumsy and confused. More common in children and teenagers, sleepwalking can occur in adults too. Certain conditions, such as panic attacks, can increase the risk of sleepwalking.
Teeth grinding
Also known as bruxism, involuntary teeth grinding or jaw clenching can lead to dental damage and headaches. For some, this happens as a result of mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Recreational drugs and prescription medication can also lead to teeth grinding.
Sleep paralysis
Experiencing sleep paralysis can be frightening. Those who experience it may wake up and find themselves unable to move. Others have also reported feeling like there is someone else in their room, overwhelming feelings of fear, or a sensation like someone is pushing down on them. Sleep experts say this often occurs during the REM phase of sleep when sleep is disrupted during a dream.
Getting support
Speaking to your doctor is a helpful first step to help you understand your particular sleep problems and what may be able to help. If you are interested in trying hypnotherapy, use our site to find a hypnotherapist right for you, learn more about how they can help and reach out for a consultation.
You deserve to sleep soundly, and help is available.