Going to bed was always anxiety-provoking. As every night approached, my mind would be filled with racing thoughts and worries about whether I would ever be able to sleep well, and if I did eventually fall asleep that night I'd worry that it would affect my ability to sleep again the following night. But now, thanks to the incredible power of Holly and the CBTI sessions I had, my sleep has completely transformed and I wake up each morning feeling energised. Sleeping well has made a bigger difference to my life than I ever expected, I didn't know I could feel this good!
When I first reached out for help, I never realised quite how much my lack of sleep was impacting my overall quality of life. I was constantly fatigued, struggled to focus during the day, and my mood was taking a toll. I needed a change, and that's when I found my way to Holly at Stars Sleep Clinic. I sent a message asking for help. I felt nervous because everything I had tried in the past hadn't worked, but I was at breaking point and keen to grasp any help I could.
After some emails and phone calls with Holly to find out what cognitive behavioural therapy was and how it could benefit me, I started my journey of insomnia therapy sessions. I started off with weekly sessions, but then found fortnightly sessions gave me the perfect amount of time to put the advice into practice, whilst still staying accountable. In total, I had six sessions and I gained insights into why I was struggling with insomnia, and effective strategies that helped me fix my sleep difficulties. Among the various techniques, the two sessions that stood out as the most transformative for me, were the ones on stimulus control and one about controlling my emotions and anxiety about sleep.
During the session on stimulus control, Holly explained why it is important not to go to bed too early and to avoid lying awake in bed for hours if I can't sleep. This knowledge was eye-opening for me. I realised that if I stayed in bed while not feeling sleepy, it could create an association between being in bed and wakefulness instead of relaxation and sleep. I gradually adjusted my bedtime routine and started going to bed only when I felt genuinely tired. It felt a bit counter-intuitive at first, since I was used to having early nights to try and get as much sleep as possible, but after the first few nights I started falling asleep quickly, and waking up less often in the night. This simple change had a bigger effect on my sleep than I expected.
Another game-changer was the session on controlling my emotions and thoughts about sleep. My racing thoughts had become a vicious cycle, keeping me awake for hours on end. In this session, I learned some new techniques to distract myself. I found myself feeling calmer and more positive, which meant I could gradually shift my attention away from worrying about sleep. This not only helped me to calm my mind before bedtime, making it easier to fall asleep, but it also improved my overall energy during the day.
For me, the results of my therapy were nothing short of miraculous and I wish I'd started long ago. Just simply having someone to talk to each session about silly things that have been stopping me from sleeping made a huge difference, let alone the cognitive behavioural therapy itself! With every session, I noticed small changes in my sleep patterns. I no longer dreaded going to bed and instead, I felt a sense of calmness and readiness before getting into bed. As I followed the techniques learned during therapy, my sleep became less disturbed, allowing me to consistently enjoy 7-8 hours of unbroken sleep every night. The transformation was incredible.
The impact of this improved sleep has spilled over into every aspect of my life. I feel more energised and focused during the day, allowing me to be more productive at work and attentive in my personal life. My relationship with my family has improved as I no longer say no to doing things with them, before I was always scared that any activity would stop me from sleeping.
Holly's help has undoubtedly made a huge difference to my life. She has given me the tools and knowledge I needed to overcome my sleep difficulties and get my old self back.
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