Posted by Tom-N-Texas on February 01, 2008 at 20:22:14:In Reply to: Re: for DCTom posted by christophi on January 31, 2008 at 21:51:43:
well I'm not DCTom....but my personal opinion about worrying about sleep is this:
When you worry about being worried about sleep, you are actually compounding the problem. Not only are you worried about sleep, but you're worried over the simple act of worrying. Personally, what I tell myself is that it's ok to worry, especially if sleep is at the forefront of my mind. I mean if there's no getting rid of the constant worry, there's no sense in even trying. In this light, at least you're putting an end to one battle. This first type of worry is controllable with a little practice.
All that's left then is the worry itself. And I found the best antecdote to that is to assure yourself that you can sleep despite being worried. You've surely gone to sleep before when you were worried...you might even do it all the time. I do, that's for sure. So while you're awake, just keep reminding yourself that you have been a successful sleeper despite the constant worry. Same at night.
So in a nutshell, I would say to stop worrying over being worried. THAT you can cantrol. Then for the other, just remind yourself that worry is not a blockade to sleep, and you've proven this many times. To take it even further, I would suggest that you are going to have to cure your insomnia DESPITE your worry....and this is almost certainly true; you are not going to miraculously end the worry before you end your insomnia....it will go the other way; you will cure your insomnia, and then sometime down the road your worry will lighten up and maybe even disappear. So basically, accepting it to a certain degree, as odd as that sounds -- may be your best route....if nothing else it ends internal battle. Good luck, Tom