When we have trouble falling asleep, we usually try really hard to fall asleep. When that doesn’t work, we start to think about how few hours of sleep we are going to get now, all of the things we have to accomplish tomorrow, how tired and useless we are going to feel, etc. etc. Then we get really frustrated, and maybe even angry. Now we are more awake than ever.
What happens when we think these thoughts is that instead of winding down, we are getting our mind and body more aroused.
To avoid getting even more activated, try to think less catastrophically and more realistically. When you have not had enough sleep before, you got through it, didn’t you? You managed to be reasonably productive, you survived the day, and at some point, you probably even felt pretty normal, but you didn’t notice it because it was normal.
So next time you have trouble falling asleep, remember realistic thinking and tell yourself:
I can survive one day on less sleep.
I will get through the day.
It won’t be as bad as I make it out to be.
If I stop telling myself how bad it is, I might even feel normal.
By not thinking thoughts that get you all worked up (thoughts that do not help you in any way), you are likely to relax a little and fall asleep more readily.
As with all new things, it takes practice before you get the optimal result, so even if this doesn’t work perfectly the first time, keep practicing realistic/non-activating thoughts each time you have trouble sleeping, and you are likely to see some improvement.
