Writer's Block: Another sleepless night
Mar. 14th, 2010 05:30 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Not anymore, although I had really bad insomnia when I was in high school. I used to lie awake for hours at night, stressing out over just about anything and everything. At the time, my special tricks/remedies mainly consisted of reading until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer or listening to music.
I have thankfully gotten loads better over the last five years, and that can mostly be attributed to the fact that I no longer stress about everything little thing that comes my way. When I moved out and into the city for the first time four years ago, I had to adjust to a new way of living. I couldn't walk home from the metro past midnight every single night and continue feeling threatened and nervous when nothing ever happened. Whereas I used to freak out whenever a stranger approached me on the street or metro, I have learned to stand my ground and speak up (sometimes quite firmly) when someone pisses me off. The dissipation of such a huge area of stress for me - my own vulnerability as a small, seemingly defenseless woman - has made it so that I no longer worry constantly about what could happen to me and/or my loved ones. And I try to remain positive so that these areas of my life that do concern me feel not-scary and manageable.
That has been the most effective and satisfying remedy for my insomnia: learning to deal with life. And I can say with pride and conviction that I have conquered the fear that used to consume me on a daily basis. Empowering myself and believing that I, first and foremost, have the physical, mental, and emotional strength to protect my body and my interests, has made me more relaxed, much less of a basket-case, and more fun to be around.
I can't speak for anyone else struggling with insomnia, but I would suggest that you look deep within yourself to try and discover why you can't sleep. If it isn't due to a diagnosed (or otherwise) medical condition, it can sometimes be caused by emotional stress. I encourage you to have the courage to seek that turmoil out and work on it every single day.
It has honestly made all the difference for me.
♥
Not anymore, although I had really bad insomnia when I was in high school. I used to lie awake for hours at night, stressing out over just about anything and everything. At the time, my special tricks/remedies mainly consisted of reading until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer or listening to music.
I have thankfully gotten loads better over the last five years, and that can mostly be attributed to the fact that I no longer stress about everything little thing that comes my way. When I moved out and into the city for the first time four years ago, I had to adjust to a new way of living. I couldn't walk home from the metro past midnight every single night and continue feeling threatened and nervous when nothing ever happened. Whereas I used to freak out whenever a stranger approached me on the street or metro, I have learned to stand my ground and speak up (sometimes quite firmly) when someone pisses me off. The dissipation of such a huge area of stress for me - my own vulnerability as a small, seemingly defenseless woman - has made it so that I no longer worry constantly about what could happen to me and/or my loved ones. And I try to remain positive so that these areas of my life that do concern me feel not-scary and manageable.
That has been the most effective and satisfying remedy for my insomnia: learning to deal with life. And I can say with pride and conviction that I have conquered the fear that used to consume me on a daily basis. Empowering myself and believing that I, first and foremost, have the physical, mental, and emotional strength to protect my body and my interests, has made me more relaxed, much less of a basket-case, and more fun to be around.
I can't speak for anyone else struggling with insomnia, but I would suggest that you look deep within yourself to try and discover why you can't sleep. If it isn't due to a diagnosed (or otherwise) medical condition, it can sometimes be caused by emotional stress. I encourage you to have the courage to seek that turmoil out and work on it every single day.
It has honestly made all the difference for me.
♥
