Insomnia Forum Posting

Posted by Hope Master on February 19, 2002 at 11:22:42:

In Reply to: Help!!! posted by Janie on February 18, 2002 at 20:42:52:

Hi Janie...I spent five years battling chronic insomnia. For a year now where my sleep has improved to the point where I consider it quite tolerable although I still have nights that I can't fall asleep or wake up in the middle of the night and not be able to return to sleep.The end result of these nights are many uncomfortable physical feelings as a tightness aroung the head and eyes that refuse to open up to see the light of day before sometimes 3:00. Insomnia is not pretty and presents a set of uncomfortable circumstances to have to deal with but it is workable if you get the right ingredients together. First of all it sounds that you are at the stage of insomnia where you have negatively conditioned yourself in a habitual way. To make progress with insomnia, you are going to have to adjust your outlook to at least be somewhat positive. I know it is difficult, and insomnia seems like a totally hopeless problem.At one point , after you have tried everything and nothing works the magic begins.This is when you you finally realize that you will have to change your thinking.Usually this means giving up all the defenses that are keeping the insomnia in place and getting to a different level with yourself. The obsesssions eventually have to be faced and looked at directly, but then questioned as nothing more than self destructive behavior that perpetuates the insomnia cycle. This only occurs when you are truly ready to release this beast. I have always said that you should not honor this insomnia.By giving the better part of every day the attention it demands you are honoring it. Do anything. Partake it any other activity that does not feed the insomnia. Go out and walk, get involved with a good book, do busywork like puzzles if you like. Do not concentrate on your sleep.It is the one thing that will keep you from sleeping. If you live the day well you will sleep well.Nourish yourself with good food and get some fresh air and exercise daily. Take deep breaths and say" Life is good" "I feel good" " Everything that comes in me is good, everything that goes out of me is good." Your mind will eventually respond to this positive affirming, even if you feel you are tricking yourself and you see through it.The mind body connection of insomnia is somewhat fascinating....Lynne has mentioned some tother good points. I wish I could give you one simple answer but it is not that simple. YOu must persevere and at the same time try not to try to hard. Finding the balance is the answer. I wish you luck in your sleep. Keep us posted as to how you are doing...Hope

Follow Ups:

• Re: Help!!! Janie 18:03 2/19/02 (0)

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