Everyone has had their fair share of restless nights
Whether it’s excitement about something coming up, a nagging worry that refuses to fade, or physical discomfort keeping you awake.
Missing out on sleep every now and then isn’t the end of the world. You might feel a bit irritable, tired or unable to concentrate properly the next day, but these effects usually disappear once you get back to a normal sleep pattern. The problem arises when sleepless nights become a regular feature of your life. Over time, this can lead to a host of serious physical and psychological challenges.
When you sleep, your body undertakes some essential tasks
Think of it as your personal repair service working through the night to restore and rejuvenate you.
Without enough sleep, your immune system starts to struggle, your body’s ability to recover slows down, and over the long term, health problems can begin to emerge. You might notice your body craving sugary foods and carbs more frequently when you’re tired, which can contribute to weight gain and unhealthy eating patterns.
Your mind suffers too, often in ways that are much harder to ignore
Maintaining focus and concentration can become difficult, your memory may seem impaired, and making decisions can simply feel overwhelming. To make matters worse, poor sleep triggers an increase in cortisol, the stress hormone that can leave you feeling frazzled and mentally stuck.
Another vital role of sleep is giving your brain a chance to process everything it has absorbed throughout the day – memories, emotions and information. Without this, unresolved issues and lingering stress can pile up, leaving you feeling overwhelmed. Over time, these mental roadblocks can evolve into more significant emotional and psychological struggles, affecting your overall wellbeing.
So, what can you do to quieten your mind and improve your sleep?
The first step is to take a closer look at your habits in the evening; this is known by sleep experts as ‘Sleep Hygiene’.
Establishing a calming, consistent bedtime routine can help your body and mind prepare for sleep.
Stressing about sleeplessness often makes the problem worse, as can going to bed super-early to ‘catch up’.
If you find yourself staring at the ceiling for over half an hour, try getting up and moving to another room. Do something relaxing – read a book or listen to gentle music – and head back to bed when you feel sleepy.
Sometimes, poor sleep can be tied to seemingly innocent habits that have become deeply ingrained over time.
Checking the clock each time you wake up, for instance, can set an internal alarm, causing you to wake at the same time every night. Similarly, routines like frequent trips to the bathroom can disrupt your sleep cycle, and scrolling through your phone is a definite no-no. Breaking these types of unhelpful patterns can often help reset your sleep rhythm.
If you struggle with insomnia and find it difficult to switch off at bedtime, hypnotherapy can offer a highly effective solution.
Techniques such as self-hypnosis and listening to hypnotherapy recordings can help calm a busy mind and reduce stress. During hypnosis, brainwave patterns often shift to mimic those experienced during REM sleep, allowing the brain to process unresolved thoughts and emotions. This can leave you feeling noticeably calmer and more receptive to sleep.
By addressing the roots of insomnia and creating a personalised approach to improving sleep, it is possible to overcome even long-standing sleep troubles and enjoy the many benefits of a full, restorative night’s rest. Sleep, after all, is not a luxury – it’s a necessity for both body and mind.
I hope you give my suggestions a try and find them useful
I’d love to hear how you get on so do ping me an email.
If you’ve got in the habit of fretting or stressing or your constant rumination results in sleep problems, do get in touch or book an initial chat via my online calendar.
