After struggling with insomnia for 10 years, I’ve finally delved into the deeper issues and subconscious causes behind it. Previously, any temporary relief I found was short-lived, as I only addressed surface-level issues without tackling the root cause.
Every insomniac likely tries everything to improve sleep through lifestyle changes—establishing a nighttime routine, unwinding before bed, making the room dark, listening to soothing music, drinking chamomile tea, avoiding blue light, abstaining from evening caffeine, tiring themselves out, using breathing techniques, and more. An insomniac will do anything to fall asleep because if you haven’t slept for days in a row, it can almost stop you from living a normal life or even getting through the day. However, these methods don’t work for true insomniacs because the core issue isn’t lifestyle-based but psychological.
Most people with insomnia don’t sleep because their subconscious has forgotten that sleep is a natural process. Regular sleepers don’t think about sleep—they simply feel sleepy and fall asleep without effort, regardless of blue light exposure or other factors. While better sleep hygiene can improve sleep quality, its absence rarely prevents sleep altogether. Temporary stress might disrupt sleep, but it resolves once the stressful situation passes.
For insomniacs, the problem is different. Their subconscious forgets that sleep comes naturally without effort. Sleep is like breathing, eating, or any other natural function—we don’t need to do anything to feel hungry; it happens automatically. Similarly, we should feel sleepy and sleep naturally when we’re tired. Insomniacs, however, start to view sleep as a task, something to actively work toward, creating pressure and anxiety.
Imagine thinking you must do something to feel hungry or you won’t be able to eat. As lunchtime approaches, anxiety sets in about needing to feel hungry by a certain time. If you check at 1 PM and don’t feel hungry, you become anxious, and your brain tries to force hunger out of fear of not being able to eat. In such a scenario, will you ever truly feel hungry? This is how insomniacs experience sleep—continuous effort and worry prevent the natural process from occurring.
Making lifestyle changes without addressing the psychological challenges reinforces the belief that action is required to sleep, further complicating the issue. What I’ve realized is that it’s essential to get into a mindset where we remind ourselves that sleep, like all natural functions, comes naturally. We should refrain from taking action toward sleep, do nothing, and trust that sleep will come naturally.
It’s also crucial to understand that the thoughts driving insomnia are habitual. Our minds have become accustomed to worrying about sleep, creating a cycle of anxiety and wakefulness. Recognizing these thoughts as habitual is the first step in breaking the cycle. These thoughts are not truths; they are patterns our minds have learned. By acknowledging them without giving them power, we can begin to rewire our brains to understand that sleep, like hunger or breathing, does not require conscious effort.
In conclusion, overcoming insomnia requires a shift in perspective. It’s about letting go of the need to control sleep and trusting in the body’s natural ability to rest. By addressing the subconscious beliefs and habitual thoughts that fuel insomnia, we can find lasting relief. Remember, sleep is a natural function that requires no effort—just as we don’t force ourselves to breathe, we shouldn’t force ourselves to sleep. Trust in the process, let go of the pressure, and allow sleep to come naturally.
