The Paradox of Sleep Effort

High achievers often face a unique paradox when it comes to sleep: the more effort they put into trying to improve their sleep, the worse it often gets. This irony stems from the instinct to apply problem-solving skills and sheer determination to something traditionally thought of as passive, like sleeping. When individuals with this personality type approach sleep with a mindset of perfectionism and rigidity—making their environments and routines overly controlled—they inadvertently create stress and anxiety that counteracts their sleep efforts. It’s essential for high achievers to recognize that striving harder for sleep typically leads to a vicious cycle that exacerbates insomnia rather than alleviates it.