Think you have insomnia?
Well, maybe “thinking” is what got you into this sleepless mess to begin with, says science.
See, as with many a disorder that manifests in a bodily way, insomnia can blossom up from the unfortunate soil of some underlying cognitive issue you’re having. It doesn’t mean you’re defective. It doesn’t mean you’re mentally ill. What it does mean, though, is that you may have to head back to snooze school. That’s right. You’ll have a notebook for nodding off, and even a slumber sensei to guide you through the process of re-learning the art of sleep. (Which you probably lost along the way through no fault of your own – but by replacing natural habits with the more malevolent albeit popular cultural I’ll-sleep-when-I’m-dead ones.)
The idea’s to fix insomniacs’ thought patterns and actions surrounding sleep by altering what they’re doing when they’re not staring through bloodshot eyes at the T.V. screen with the remote precariously dangling from their fatigued fingers. While some of the pro-tips might even induce the confused cocker spaniel head-cock reaction from you (like “don’t go to bed earlier – rest around 1 A.M. if you can only sleep in five hour blocks”), the plus is that it’s all customized. That way, you’re not getting generic tips like you would from me (who doesn’t know you and didn’t get a degree from a snooze-iversity.)
“Ah, yes. I see the problem. You appear to be sleeping with your neck perpendicular to the rest of your body.”
And what’s the deal with jotting down your up-all-night rituals and ruminations? Well, a massive aspect of cognitive behavioral therapy is retraining your brain and habits. Problem is, half the time you’re not even aware of the thoughts you’re having that affect the stress levels keeping you awake. By shining even the tiniest cognizance night light on ’em, it opens you up to potential epiphanies like, “Hey, maybe my nocturnal hobby of stalking exes online is the opposite of a soporific…” And then you can, ya know, change it. That’s, if it’s worth those coveted subdued-conscious hours under the covers.
(Protip: part’ve that’s changing the way you react to external stimuli.)
Up to you.
So, there you have it. Like most solutions, it’s simple – if you exert the effort to actually do it. But I honestly don’t see why you wouldn’t – in a way, this actually sounds like the most fun self-help session you could invest in. I mean, sure, you’re actually seeing a psychologist who specializes in sleep disorders. Sure, they call it CBT-I (cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia). But, that’s just semantics. That’s all technical. When you really come down to it, you’re having a chat – perched on a pillow, talking about feelings, and even jotting down your problems in a doze diary.
Pshh… this isn’t therapy.
It’s not even snooze school.
This is an ongoing slumber party with a point.
#signmeup