Try This

Stop trying to fall asleep

Dec 5, 2023

In this podcast, the host discusses why trying to get yourself to sleep can hinder rest. Instead, she talks to a sleep expert who shares tangible steps to tackle anxiety at bedtime. The importance of not obsessing over sleep and avoiding obsessive monitoring is emphasized. Strategies to address performance anxiety and improve sleep are explored.

08:44

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Quick takeaways

Trying too hard to fall asleep can hinder rest and lead to anxiety and feelings of failure.

Instead of actively trying to sleep, individuals should focus on addressing hidden feelings or anxieties that may be impacting their ability to sleep.

Deep dives

Stop Trying to Sleep

The expert, Lisa Strauss, advises against trying to sleep and emphasizes that sleep is a bodily function. Trying too hard to sleep can lead to performance anxiety, pressure, and feelings of failure. Instead of focusing on the result, individuals should wait for sleep to naturally come to them, similar to waiting for rescue on a capsized boat.

Introduction

2min

The Analogy of the Capsized Boat and Trying to Sleep

2min

Optimizing Sleep Conditions and Avoiding Obsessive Monitoring

2min

Addressing Performance Anxiety and Improving Sleep

3min

In this first class of our course on how to get better sleep, host Cristina Quinn outlines why trying to get yourself to sleep can sometimes be a barrier to getting rest. But if we shouldn't will ourselves to sleep, what should we do instead? Cristina talks to an expert with a clear plan for how to tackle anxiety at bedtime by taking some tangible steps during the day.

If you’d like additional resources, here are some columns from sleep expert Lisa Strauss who is featured in this episode:

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