My Insomnia Struggles…
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- Опубликовано: 17 дек 2023
- Thank you guys for being so helpful with all of this! Sorry this isn't my normal type of video but it honestly feels so nice to open up about it all with you guys. Send good sleepy vibes and I'll keep you guys updated along the way! As I'm typing this, I'm already feeling a bit more rested since I filmed this video this past weekend so we have some hope! I'm also so excited to share what ends up helping me eventually for all of you who struggle with sleep.
Would love if this comment section turned into tips + tricks so that anyone dealing with it could maybe use it to help them with sleeping issues! So many of the tips are in my DMs but I feel like an open space of info/advice would be so much more useful for everyone
Xo
Han 
Кино
Hi Hannah, I feel for you so much. This was me for years.. I finally broke the insomnia cycle when I did cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). It was life changing. I still struggle time to time but not like before. I am SO glad you’re talking about it because insomnia is so isolating and can spiral into depression quickly. I wish there was someone like you who openly spoke out about it when my insomnia was at its worst. My sleep specialist told me that our brains do “micro-sleeps” so even if you’re awake, your brain will do second-long shut downs basically in order to survive. I found that kinda comforting, so even if you think you haven’t slept, your brain has.
Quick tips I learned in CBT-I:
-get into bed when you’re ready for sleep (like don’t lounge in bed, watch tv, or read in bed. Bed is for sleep)
-if you haven’t fallen asleep within 20 mins, get up and go into another room for 15 mins and do something that distracts you (that doesn’t include screens. I’d use coloring books) Try sleep again for 20 mins. Repeat this for as long as necessary until you fall asleep within 20 mins. Yes there were nights I did this all night long. When I first started, I had 3 nights back to back like this and on the 4th night, I fell asleep naturally within 20 mins and slept *all night long* . It resets your association with sleep. You don’t want to lay there tossing and turning because it just intensifies the anxiety related to sleep and your subconscious starts associating your bed as something bad.
- wake up at the same time every single day no matter what. This is incredibly important! Way more important than routine bed time. Try setting your alarm for 7am, even if you didn’t fall asleep until 5am. It’s awful for a few days but this is how you re-train your body! It won’t take long.
Looks like there’s a program you can pay for that’ll do CBT-I. I don’t know anyone who’s done it without a sleep specialist but might be worth it: www.thesleepreset.com
This is great information!! Thank you.
I'm currently doing CBTI. It's rough but I am hoping it helps! Felt like it was my only option after struggling for years and taking medication
@@cristinatrentacoste4122 It can be rough, especially the first couple of weeks of initial sleep restriction, but it usually gets better if you stick with it! I hope it's helpful for you soon.
Girly do not apologize for being emotional! Not being able to sleep is so draining and exhausting. If you can’t sleep your mind is literally not able to get the rest it needs so it makes your emotions all over the place. As much as I love your bubbly self I love how real you are in this video. I really hope you are able to get some rest ❤️❤️❤️ will be thinking of you
Thank you for sharing this! Been following you for awhile and really love when you share such raw and real content! It's super refreshing and something I really needed to see to help me feel better about my own struggles with insomnia. Also, the way Dylan reacts is sooo sweet, reminds me of how my boyfriend really helps cheer me up after a sleepless night and makes the most of the situation. 🥰 Hang in there girl!
Hannah!! I have had insomnia on and off for 7 years and it is so exhausting. For me, it affects everything and only gets scarier the more it happens. It also makes me feel like I can't do the most basic thing that everyone else can do so easily. You are so strong for sharing this and sometimes I have trouble believing it myself, but I think there is a way out. Whatever it is, there is a root cause and we can take it. Thank you for making me and so many others feel less alone.
Oh my goodness Hannah, I feel this. I have experienced this a lot this year. I'm sure you've already tried this, and it's not an end-all-be-all cure by ANY MEANS but the biggest thing that has helped me is to just lean into being awake rather than trying to fall asleep. I've been doing things I like instead of laying in bed and stressing out about not sleeping. It gets my stress levels down so I have a chance at falling asleep. I'm so glad you talked about this -- Not enough people understand how much it can mess your system up. Best of luck to you, rooting for you!
Dear Hannah. My husband suffered from insomnia for many years and solved it by getting therapy for anxiety and trauma. He sleeps like a baby now. Wishing that for you too. ❤
we're all rooting for you!!! thank you for being so vulnerable
I so admire how you are still working out, getting ready, cooking for yourself and still living life even though you must be so exhausted. I need to be better about doing that. I don’t have insomnia, I have Lyme, which means I can sleep for 14 hours but feel like I got little to no sleep. I really hope you’re able to find something that helps!! No need to apologize about complaining, you’re being real and your feelings are valid.
I am so sorry Hannah! Sleep deprivation from insomnia is the absolute worst…it makes it so difficult to function! I am proud of you for being real and for posting this! I wish I had answers for you. My sleep is very bad, as well. I am glad that Dyl is so supportive! Sending you a big hug!
It makes me so sad that part of you feels it has to shut down your emotions bc you’re normally “happy, fun, & goofy” & feels you have to “calm down” for having normal human emotions!!! Your pain and struggles & your happy go lucky, fun, & goofy traits are not mutually exclusive! You don’t have to excuse, justify, or explain away your emotions, girl!!!! Thanks for sharing your story & being vulnerable && thanks for using your platform to show natural human experiences and not just highlights of positivities like social media often shows 🫶🏼 hope your body can find rest soon!
Please don’t ever apologize for sharing real life stuff! Clearly so many other people have gone through this and you’re not alone. I love following REAL life influencers like this. Thank you for letting us in on what you’ve been facing. Sending so much love and prayers that you will get through this soon and start being able to sleep again! 🤍
I was in the same situation as you almost exactly and I’m so sorry you’re going through this ❤ I tried everything including CBTi and nothing worked. What finally helped was learning more about what I was experiencing and finding a bunch of other people going through it. There was something about doing this that took most of the fear away from the experience which in turn helped to untangle the insomnia. I had luck with a program called The Sleep Coach School. The youtube channel has so many amazing videos of people who have recovered and it made me feel so much less alone in my struggle. I joined their program and learned a lot about what’s happening to me, how it’s okay and normal, and found a great community and support system. I still have a ways to go but progress wouldn’t have happened without this program. Truly hope everyone who is struggling with insomnia finds this resource ❤️
Ugh I’ve had this happen and it is the literal worst. I would just cry and cry. Praying for you Hannah!! Sounds like you are on a good path to finding answers and help ❤️
Aww Hannah im sorry you’re going through this! I’ve been there before and I remember how anxiety inducing and stressful it felt and I dont wish that on anyone! My tips from my experience are to 1. Be compassionate with yourself, you will sleep soon and get back to a normal routine (you went through a major life event getting married and although its an exciting time I can imagine the stress that probably came with the build up and planning of it and travel etc. And for me I tend to notice effects of stress on my body after an event. I feel like its the body’s way of getting you through a certain time and then the healing comes later!) 2. I love that you’re talking about it and reaching out, you find that you’re never truly alone and with all the advice you will find what works best for you! 3. I feel like therapy really helped me! I know it doesn’t sound like a quick fix or that the two can really correlate but I swear it helped! 4. You could try acupuncture or a massage, a massage therapist once told me that an hour massage was like the body taking a nights rest and idk if thats true or not but it helped ease my anxiety about not getting enough rest lol 5. I also tried shifting my mindset, instead of feeling trapped I tried to tell myself that I could take this extra time to read that book I’ve always wanted to read, or do a puzzle or just anything not on my phone or computer to take my mind off of any stressors! I hope you find what helps you soon :)
I feel so much empathy and compassion for you Hannah. I wish I could give you a hug. Struggled with this on and off for years. Found out I had a thyroid issue along with hormone issues as well. I also got my vitamin levels checked too. My mom said this last time change also affected her more this time around so I’m not sure if that affects things as well. I really hope you find sleep and relief soon!!
Hannah, I have been there and have been struggling with sleep for years. It takes over all areas of your life and I feel so seen by watching this. Appreciate your vulnerability. Sometimes it helps me to remember that it's temporary and I WILL sleep again, even if it doesn't feel like it. Yummi Karmi's Drift Away drops and Sandlands sleep patches have helped me, but I have also tried everything in the book and sometimes my fixes don't even work. Sending you love and hope you figure out something that helps you. You are not alone!!!
wow Hannah thanks for sharing this. I have struggled with insomnia for years and haven't really "met" anyone with the same issues of literally not sleeping for days. it can feel so isolating. Thanks for being real and sharing this. Please continue with updates and tips!
Hey Hannah! I'm so sorry you're going through this! I've had insomnia for years too and I know how awful and stressful it can be. I'm really hoping you find a solution that works for you asap. I haven't seen a behavioral therapist for insomnia but that sounds like a great idea. Some tips that helped me cure mine:
- a hard workout most mornings at the same time. I love yoga too and think it's super helpful for relaxing but since I'm really active - I need something pretty hard in order to sleep well at night. I go for a 3 mile run most mornings - walk for the last 30 minutes to relax. Morning workouts also really help me regulate my sleep. Even if I haven't slept at all, I really try to push myself to do this.
- waking up at the same time most mornings
- Sleeping in another room/couch than my fiance on nights that I'm struggling to fall asleep. It stresses me out more if there person next to me is sleeping soundly haha. You can also try returning to bed once you're tired - but sometimes that helps me just to fall asleep where I am.
- For some reason, I can't have red wine in the evening and sleep well - so I mostly avoid alcohol most weeknights and save that just for weekends. Some alchohol I can sleep fine.
- It's so sad because I love coffee and matcha lattes, but found that I am super sensitive to caffeine so I only have them maybe once every couple months when I have craving. Even green tea can have a lot of caffeine for people who are sensitive to it - so I've fully eliminated it. It's hard the first few weeks but replacing it with herbal tea has really helped.
- Eliminating work stress is a hard one but I've had to change jobs in the past if I notice I can't shut work off
- Silencing phone before dinner
- Limiting social media time in general but especially at night - I just leave my phone in another room starting at 7:00 pm
- not drinking fluids/eating past 8:00 pm
- adding a magnesium supplement to your diet + eating magnesium rich foods
- Calm App - Soften Into Sleep by Chibs Okereke really helped me wind down at night but on nights I use it I still try to keep my phone out of reach.
- Unfortunately melatonin and weed gummies don't work for me. I wouldn't recommend it all the time - but if I haven't slept in over a few nights I will take 2 benadryl's or nyquil/zzzquil to sleep.
I’m so sorry Hannah 😢 not being able to sleep seriously affects you in every way, so don’t say ew at yourself. I believe God will heal you or guide you to the right solution.
I am so sorry you are dealing with this, Hannah. It truly does impact everything when one cannot sleep. Restful, quality sleep. Please do not apologize for keeping it real and sharing your struggles. We understand and it is okay to not be okay.
So glad you've been to the doctor and have plans to see what else will work for you and allow you to sleep consistently. I know God will lead you to the right solution(s) for you 🙏❤️I've struggled with insomnia for years and it is no fun. Starting CBT-I soon and hope to put this behind me.
Sending good vibes, prayers and healing your way 🙏❤️
So sorry to hear this Hannah. I suffered from Insomnia for 7 years and im just now overcoming it (I am only 23 years old by the way). I had a naturopath doctor assist me through it. One of the biggest things for me also was being in that fight or flight before bed also. So working on healing your cortisol. Keep doing what you’re doing, finding natural solutions, and I promise our bodies are so miraculous!!!! Now I am working on overcoming sleeping triggers like traveling, sleeping with someone else, having to wake up early for something, etc. Keep praying about it and God WILL heal like he did for me!! ❤
I proud of you for being so vulnerable. I love the crying videos it seems so raw and honest.
Don’t worry Hannah! You will get to the bottom of this. Good job seeing a naturopath vs depending on meds. Thanks for sharing as lots of people struggle with this ❤
I’ve struggled with sleeping for a multitude of reasons throughout my life and it is so tough. I’m currently dealing with it right now and it is a matter of taking care of you. If it helps mine is very tied to my PMDD (and menstrual cycle) a lot of the time and I didn’t even realize until recently that can have a huge effect. Maybe that could be something to look into in more depth since you said you’ve struggled with that before. You’re so strong, you’ve got this, and you’re not alone. Be kind and patient with yourself and take care of yourself. I hope you find your peace soon🤍
I love you Hannah, thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing about insomnia 🫶🏼 I hope it gets better, sending love to you 🤍
Hannah!!! Bless your heart! You do not need to apologize for “complaining”. Thank you for sharing and being open about your struggles. I hope you find comfort, validation, and connection in doing so. Your struggles matter!! It’s okay to not be happy/bubbly all the time- that can’t always be the case! It’s okay to be real. You deserve support around you, and you can’t get that if you fake happy/bubbly in moments of struggle. I hope you find help and guidance through sleep therapy. It sounds like you have gotten a lot of suggestions! As a therapist myself, the one tip I would like to suggest sounds silly but might be worth a try! Talk to your brain…..yes! Talk to your brain & be gentle when you talk to it. It makes sense why you are feeling so frustrated, however you can’t hate your way out of the situation. Try having a moment with yourself and literally talk to your brain. This can sound like “it is bed time. I would like to rest. Help me do that please. I would like to dream about “x””. Sounds silly, but maybe give it a try! Wishing you better sleep!!
sorry your struggling girl. hope this gets better for you 🫶🏼 happy holidays 🎄
I am so sorry…. I have been struggling with this too the past 2 months…. It’s been absolutely terrible. I’m praying for both of us! ❤️
I have struggled with this (particularly in adulthood) and it is agonizing! You’re definitely not alone. The challenge is mostly mental for me as it’s a self fulfilling prophecy (because you’re so anxious about sleeping, you end up not sleeping). My advice would be to allow yourself to try to sleep whenever you feel tired/calm enough, regardless of what time (if your schedule allows). This way, once you get into bed at night you don’t feel as much sleep deprivation and aggravation. It’s
not the most sustainable option but it has helped me.
Hannah! I really really hope you read this… I had the same extent of insomnia you’re having for 3 years… it was INSANE. I tried everything you tried and sometimes it would get better but it always came back in full force. I finally found a research doc who told me it is probably linked to my GUT! I had like no symptoms of gut issues and I did a test and they found so many issues including a parasite, Candida, etc. This also contributed to insane anxiety (fight or flight feeling), etc. Please get this checked out! It literally saved me..
I feel you big time on the insomnia front… only getting 2 nights of sleep all week.
The game-changer for me was working with someone named Meredith. She has the most amazing program that literally changed my whole life (it’s called Sleep Success).
After doing her program I don’t use ANY sleep aids … I just fall asleep naturally and within like 10-15 minutes. It’s sooooooooooooo INCREDIBLE!!!!!! I honestly can’t believe I’m finally sleeping again.
Quitting sugar helped my girlfriend with insomnia. And taking Ashwagandha before sleep. Here in Germany we call Ashwagandha 'Schlafbeere', which means 'sleeping berry'.
Thank you for your video, it helps with awareness about this issue 🙏🏻
Jay Shetty recently did a podcast on December 1st of “8 strategies for deeper sleep & boosting your energy all day.” Am so sorry you’re going through this, I had the same experience in my 20s. What helped me is listening to a calm voice (I personally listen to Gabrielle Bernstein on audible)…there’s many on the Calm app. Also a warm bubble bath helped me wind down…and sometimes a book. Praying that your insomnia miraculously stops…sending you so much love & positive energy. You’ll get through this for sure!!💕💕💕
Hannah: thank you for normalizing this. Never feel embarrassed to share with many of us that deal with insomnia, sleep issues, anxiety ect (I believe they are correlated). It’s taken me years to figure out what works for me - melatonin, magnesium, relax before bed, lights down low, face mask, ear plugs, fan for white noise, warm heavy duvet with cold air- not stuffy room, the ideal temperature. It’s insane. And then I still have my bad nights 😫 Don’t let this take you down. Even if you can lay down and rest/relax for 20-30mins it can help your mental state a lot! I hope you get some answers and sleep 🙏🏻💕
Hannah it’s ok to be real. Nobody is at their best all the time it’s not reality. I’m glad you reached out and put the video up! You are braver for it👍🏻That’s what all your fans who love you are here for! Good luck going forward and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. You are human like the rest of us🫶🏻
Hi Hannah, thank you for sharing your struggles. I havw being dealing with insomnia since i was 20, i am 26. It going on and off and in some periods i have really struggled. It definitely can depress you and it affects your Life in all aspects. Yoga and meditation really help. Also reading before bed. Dont be scared of using meds, they are really necessary for getting out of it. Better get informed if those meds cause dependency xoxo
Me, a fellow insomniac, watching this at midnight becoming increasingly more anxious about falling asleep tonight. Thanks for sharing your struggles, my lack of sleep has affected my life alot. I now have heart palpitations, and I think they are probably correlated. The sad thing is, the heart palpitations keep me awake now too and they get worse the more tired I get. Its a terrible cycle. I appreciate you being vulnerable enough to post this... it truly helps hearing about someone else struggling with similar issues.
Hi! A someone that used to suffer from insomia which then led to heart palpitations, I can tell you that's anxiety! The heart palpitations are a physical symptom from the anxiety of not being able to fall asleep, the body is stressed and in crisis mode so adrenaline is coursing. ASMR, reading, music, a hug from your partner or even anxiety medication will help with that. I also found that getting a lot of sunlight during the day (Vit D, which then leads to the making of serotonin which helps build melatonin), also swimming or some sort of intense exercise.
@@SexySol32I feel like my heart rate is elevated all day so intense exercise seems daunting to help even reset my heart rate. Thoughts?
Hi Hannah ! First I’m so sorry to hear your going through this, I had struggled with insomnia during covid for months. I went to an acupuncturist and I have not had problems with insomnia since! The acupuncturist I went to made me a tea and I had dry needling performed. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel !! ❤
Hey Hannah. I struggle with insomnia off and on. It's usually triggered by medication, traveling, or stress. Very recently I was sleeping on average 2 hours a night and I was sooo emotional. I was tired, crying, and I didn't want to be alone. My depression and anxiety were heavily amplified. I found out my cold meds were keeping me from sleeping. When I travel I never feel comfortable sleeping away from home and it always throws off my sleep patterns. The worst time was about 10 years ago and I went 4 days with zero sleep. Then I slept maybe 2 hours the 5th night and started sleeping about 4 hours a night after that. It was very frustrating and I was legit seeing stuff. I was scared and I was getting a lot of anxiety when it came time to sleep. I would think.. Am I sleeping tonight? Am I tired? And my mind would race and prevent me from sleeping. This post is sooooo relatable for me.
Hi Hannah! I went through something very similar. I too was deficient in B12 as well as magnesium and low copper levels. I also believe the anxiety of not falling asleep reached a whole new level which did not help at all. All I could think about is how I’m not sleeping. Here are some things that helped me:
- a very strict evening routine
- no exercise after 7
- lavender epson bath salt baths
- no tv/no phone after 7:30
- no caffeine/alcohol
- read every night before bed (I kinda hate reading and it would bore me but better than looking at screen or laying with eyes closed just thinking)
- read somewhere besides bed
- took magnesium + l-Theanine
- sleepy time tea
- weighted sleep eye mask
- cold cold room
- had to sleep alone for a bit
- white noise such as a fan
- fall asleep to meditation
- wake up same time everyday, early
I know this seems like a lot, but after a few weeks, I noticed so much of a difference. It’s almost like I needed to deprive my body completely of caffeine/coffee/screen time to reset because it made my brain so overactive and stressed and anxious.
I hope one or a few of these things offer some sort of relief for you! It is such a physically/mentally/emotionally draining thing to go through.
Sending sleepy vibezZzZz your way ❤
Love you Hannah and I’ll so sorry you are struggling with this!! Some things that helped mine are sound baths/ meditation before bed, melatonin with stress supps like ashwaganda and l-theanine, trace minerals and magnesium glycinate. I think addressing any sub conscious stress and exercising during the day helps💕
Hannah, I’m sorry you’re going through this challenge right now :( Want to encourage you that you’re not alone and don’t have to despise and suppress the hard emotions that are coming up. Allowing yourself to feel is allowing yourself to HEAL. Who says you have to be happy and fun all the time? You are just as loveable in your down moments too and maybe this is a season to receive that authentic love and grace. I struggled with insomnia for a couple weeks earlier this year and after trying to fight it with my efforts, I used that time in the middle of the night to pray and connect with God without any of the distractions of the day. He gave me a supernatural peace and broke the cycle for me. I don’t know what your spiritual stance is but I would encourage you to just try talking to Him as you would a friend on FaceTime and ask for His healing and I believe it will come. Sometimes these challenges are His way of getting our attention ❤️
Oh honey insomnia is miserable. I’ve had it my whole life but it’s gotten worse as I’ve aged. I think I give myself anxiety worrying about whether or not I’ll get good sleep and then I psyche myself out. Best advice I was ever given was not to lay and bed and toss and turn but get up and keep busy until I feel sleepy. Sometimes I read a book, clean the entire house, journal, watch tv. Hope you find some relief soon.
struggling with this so much too rn, thanks so much for opening up, were in this together
I’m sorry Hannah, I deal with the same thing where I toss and turn and it just make things worse. What worked for me is journaling worries, turn off lights, talking with someone, taking my meds, and try to change your setting, pillow, clothes, scents. Set up a routine. Stay off social media for a while. Prayer helps a lot too!❤
Wishing you all the best of luck - not getting enough sleep is the worst. It almost makes you a different person. Keep trying and keep looking after yourself. The mind can really throw you into a spin a times.
Also i always eat before bed! Ik some people say not to but i can’t sleep hungry. Exercise in the morning, walk in the evening, eat something nourishing and carb heavy before bed. Sending love and prayers girlie, you got this ❤
Hannah, I’m a trauma therapist who is trained in polyvagal resourcing. Short polyvagal exercises may help to strengthen/tone the vagus nerve, regulate the nervous system, and move you out of fight/flight. This will help to reduce flare ups of cortisol and increase B12 absorption. Also, check with your physician before taking this, but valerian root, which is a supplement, is not habit forming like most melatonin, and helps you fall asleep and move into your deep sleep. Sending you such positive vibes and relief. Xoxo
Thanks for sharing. I hope your sleep pattern smoothes out. My advice would be to go to bed early, around 9:30 because after 10pm another cycle clicks in. You want to catch the 10pm angel train for best sleep!
Omg thank you for this video!! I am currently dealing with this same issue since 2021. The Universe is trying to tell me something.
I hope the best for you!!
I have to say this - I struggled with insomnia for like a year. It was HORRIBLE… I thank you for opening up! It DOES get better - mine was anxiety related and now I take 12.5 mg of sertraline and it saved me. Talk to a doctor and specialist and see what’s best for you! It WILL get better!!
wow, that is horrible!!! I could not sleep one day this year and it made me feel like I wanted to cry. Please stay in touch with the Dr. We both live in beautiful San Diego and should never have to go through that!!! Prayers girl!!
I hope it gets figured out soon. This sounds so frustrating. Thank you for sharing with us ❤
Feel for you 🫶 I had insomnia for 16 years (since middle school). Sleep is complex. What worked for me was reprogramming my subconscious mind (self-hypnosis, EFT, reframing techniques, etc). I highly suggest combining subconscious reprogramming with any other approach you decide to try 💕 This can retrain your mind/body to not activate fight/flight at night. this was the main thing that got me out of it
OMGGGG!!! Hi Mere!!! You would totally be able to help Hannah sleep!!!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Hannah!!! You gotta connect with Meredith - your life will forever change. You will be able to sleep again!!
aw thanks babe 💕!!
Mostly just here to say you are so not alone! Being awake in the wee hours, unable to sleep, is one of the loneliest feelings. I’ve spent most of my young adult life in & out of struggles with insomnia. Even though we know sleep will eventually come in some form or fashion, it still doesn’t take away that acute sense of aloneness, and for me, the string of questions that follow: What’s wrong with me? Am I the only one? So long versed way of saying: if any of that resonates with your experience, then I’m here to tell you, that you are very much not alone, and nothing is “wrong” with you. That’s not to say there aren’t biological and medical things at play (I’m not a dr!), but nothing is *fundamentally* wrong with you. You’re perfect & this season shall pass. Hang in there Hannah, I’ll be shooting up a prayer for you in those wee hours! Thank you for your vulnerability. ❤❤ - Caroline
Love how open you are.
Ahh....I think anxiety can have a lot to do with this.. Couple tips worked for me. Stay up as late as you can, doing something folding laundry, dishes, knitting, etc. Get into bed only when really tired. Even if it's past midnight, it's ok. Keep a schedule once you get a 2-5 hour stretch. You'll get through this... Merry Christmas & love from Colo
Hey Hanna 💓 I used to have insomnia in the past as well and I remember the struggle. Then I started telling myself “it’s okay I will sleep forever when I died” I know this sounds stupid but it made me feel better think that one day I will just sleep forever and miss living life. Anyways insomnia will past and one day you will just laugh at it. XoXo 😘💗stay strong!
I’m so sorry Hannah! Please give yourself grace and be kind. No sleep just furthers anxiety and it is a terrible cycle to be in . You mentioned your travels and it makes me wonder if your bio rhythm is out of whack. All of the different time zones, different beds etc, might be part of the problem. Black out curtains, maybe a sound machine and reducing electronic lighting before bed. I do know I am struggling with the low B12 and it does cause me to have heart racing and at times short of breath however I do sleep well. Do you know what your magnesium level is? Mine was low so I take a supplement shortly before bed and it has helped me become so relaxed and sleepy.
Keep us posted on how you’re doing. I do have to say that you look so pretty in spite of no sleep. I like your hair. Bye 👋
Wishing you well Hannah! I particularly like Magtech brand of magnesium - the capsules. It’s the only one that works for me for some reason. Also try adding in prayer if you are open to it. 💛
Hey Hannah - would really recommend asking your PCP to refer you to a sleep medicine doctor. They’re pulmonary/ICU trained doctors usually but they further specialize in sleep and they can run more tailored tests to get to the root of things. Seeing a naturopath can be helpful and I don’t deny that high cortisol may be related but things like low b12 being caused by stress or high cortisol isn’t really medically true so I’d double check things they say. Good luck 🫶
Girl, I’ve tried everything. Everything. My entire life of this… I feel you. Nothing natural is a sure solution if you’re having a moment, but you can do your best to prevent getting too stressed by this - my best tips are:
-infrared sauna (not dry sauna has to be infrared)
-full body red light bed/ vibration muscle pod bed (some tanning salons/wellness spas offer this type of thing)
-get a little sun every day (do the outdoor walks and yoga you said you do)
-weight lifting (especially leg days)
-ACUPUNCTURE mats!!
-massages (if you don’t have time for full spa day do the quick chair massages for shoulder tension or use a theragun on yourself)
-make a cute night routine and tell yourself I’m being cute and aesthetic not ‘I have to do this in order to sleep’
Here’s some ideas:
tart cherry concentrate from Whole Foods mocktail (I like strawberry olipop with it) magnesium supplement, melatonin etc in cute cocktail glass avoid wine nights and sugar 😭
Play relaxing hz sleep music
Light a candle
Spray dr teals magnesium lavender body spray on yourself and pillow
Rub magnesium on body
Sleep mask
A little colder room temp than day temp
Humidifier on
Write your thoughts down in your journal
Get rid of negative people
Don’t talk about it when going about your day to stranger, friends anyone other than dr, therapist, mom, husband etc like don’t make excuses to other people about it because it draws attention to it and can make it seem worse if that makes any sense
Look into thyroid or blood sugar issues with your dr (blood sugar sensors will help you know if you are dropping low in middle of the night causing you to wake up)
More protein and less carbs 😭
Try to wake up around the same time and get out of bed regardless of how fed up you are. This is annoying bc if you’re busy and finally have a day to sleep in that’s all you want to do when your body is deprived so do your best to stay as consistent that makes sense and works for you
All easier said than done to stay on top of it all but we can all try our best to prioritize ourselves. Key is to do these things to relax and take care of yourself not stress yourself out more
I hope it helps you or anyone else who is going through this 🤍
Hannah, sweetheart, I don’t know you well but I witnessed during this video the number of times you apologized for feeling vulnerable and told yourself to “get over it” is heartbreaking. I echo other comments in that seeking help to implement a more self compassionate mindset can be really helpful. It’s not a quick fix but it’ll help in the long run.
Today I went to church (my second time ever) and I was so emotional, I just wanted to sit there and cry quietly but there was this voice in my head saying “what if someone sees me?!”, now I see you struggle the same way.
Like others have said, thank you for showing vulnerability. For those of us who are more sensitive souls like you, this is so freeing to watch. And all the best with your sleep ❤
When you started crying I just wanted to hug you and tell you, “SAME GIRL SAME!” I cried last night bc I was tired but couldn’t sleep 😭. So thanks for talking about this.
You NEVER cry on camera so this is very endearing. I can speak to sleep deprivation and it is horrendous. Hope you figure it out soon!
Martin Reed the Insomnia Coach helped me so much! I was dealing with this for months and watching his videos helped me a ton!
Therapist here! Look into polyvagal exercises. They can reset your polyvagal nerve which takes you out of flight or fight mode.
This vlog made me cry. I have really struggled with sleeping issues for the last few years and sometimes have felt so hopeless and alone, even though I have a supportive partner like Dylan. I don't think I've seen any creators post about this so thank you for being so vulnerable in this and I hope you keep sharing your journey in figuring it out. 🤍
Praying for you🩷 I have struggled with insomnia since I was 12.. it’s so difficult.
Hey girl so sorry your dealing with this! If your on birth control (or even have an IUD) that also significantly depletes your vitamin B levels. I highly recommend cycle tracking as an option!
As someone with Hashimoto's disease (thyroid) I personally also struggle with low cortisol levels, adrenal fatigue, and sleeping issues (although I never connected the sleeping issues until just now). I don't know if you are a people-pleasing, Virgo, type A personality like me as well, but I think those also affect my anxiety and being unable to shut off my brain. I just want to let you know you are definitely not alone and to give yourself permission to sleep until 2pm when you don't fall asleep until 7am. My black-out curtains are lifesaving. The crutch that has worked for me personally is finding a favorite chick flick that I know by heart and watching it on low brightness and low volume on my laptop, playing the same movie every single night (I might switch to a different one each month). The low volume makes me almost strain to hear it which in itself can be exhausting and put me to sleep, but it also doesn't disrupt my husband sleeping next to me. Watching a movie allows me to shut off my brain and the fact that I'm repetitively watching a "comfort" movie, means it doesn't keep me awake like a new show would. I have just made sure to turn off autoplay so once the movie ends, a new one doesn't start up and my laptop just turns off on its own from inactivity. Merry Christmas! ❤
I had this issue for so long I felt like I was going crazy… I started taking a high mg of CBD for sleep and that helped a ton. I also went on anxiety meds that I take at night that have also helped tremendously. I have never been someone who wanted to take medication every day but it has literally SAVED my sleep. I was going through it for a while.
I’ve been having the worst time lately more than usual with insomnia as well! Sending love
Hannah, I have had chronic insomnia for the better part of 25 years. They cannot find any cause for it. Ironically, my 23 year old daughter has had it as well, since she was about 14. I believe it is all hormonal but I can’t prove it. We both take medication to sleep, there’s no shame in it. One can simply not function without sleep, it’s very dangerous. I wish you the best!
I feel you so much !!!!! I’ve got the same problem . 😘
Reading + magnesium before bed + hatch sleep clock as helped me immensely!
Yes Hannah, you’re probably in a constant fight or flight state like you said. Your brain doesn’t want you to fall asleep because it perceives danger due to past/prolonged stress. And not sleeping can cause more stress so it’s a viscous cycle! I know you said you’ve tried a lot of things, but please don’t give up on nervous system healing. There are a lot of options within this approach, so you just need to find what’s right for you. And know that it can take time and repetition to regulate your nervous system. Your brain most likely hasn’t felt safe for a while (which has led to physical symptoms), so you need to retrain it so it can understand that there are no threats. Consciously, you may feel like you don’t have stress/trauma, but your subconscious brain thinks differently (this is why people might overlook nervous system healing). If you need professional guidance, try looking into Somatic Experiencing or EMDR.
I did the same and finally did a sleep study and it showed I was only getting an average of 2 hours of sleep a night. Now I use a CPAP machine which I thought was crazy but I promise I sleep a solid 8-9 hours a night. If I do not use the machine I am so tired the next day. Its worth just doing the sleep study to see. You can do this from your home now also.
Did u have sleep apnea thou for them to start u on the machine? Because inhave a friend and yes that helped him sleep tremendously
I do but did not know that I did till I had the test. I had no idea that was the problem. I had the same problem I could not go to sleep and when I did it was short. @@corinneshepard9179
Hope you are feeling better! I tried few things to help my sleep- Magnesium glycinate, sleepy mocktail(pure tarte cherry juice and your fave sparkling water), no coffee, dr. Teals sleep pillow spray is great (better than taking melatonin)
Im sorry Hannah I will be praying for you❤
I had it horribly when I was 31 years old… I went 7 days straight without sleeping at all! Not even one minute! I tried everything…. Prescription sleeping medication did nothing. I tried Everything natural… you listed all of it.
Zoloft saved me. A tiny 25 milligram dose and I slept 4 hours….. i was so happy for 4 hours and in a month I was sleeping 7 hours a night. I know it is an antidepressant and I am not depressed even though the insomnia was making me beyond sad.
I’m praying for you. You will find the answer and this will pass. But damn it sucks!
Hi Hannah. I had insomnia for 4 years. I tried EVERYTHING. 2 months ago, my therapist suggested that I may not be eating enough, and specifically enough protein. I was also b12 deficient. Very. I know you're not asking for advice...but increasing my protein x3 changed my life. I sleep through the night and my anxiety has decreased significantly. I sleep with cheese by my bed in case I wake up...which helps me fall asleep within an hour once I eat it. I'm SO sorry you are dealing with this. It's so so hard ❤ sending all good vibes
Eat a meal right before bed. High protein. Changed my life.
No kidding never heard protein effects sleep...I'm gonna keep track of the nights I don't sleep well and see if it's days I eat less protein
@@corinneshepard9179 I hadn't either! I now eat 80-100 grams/day. It's helped sleep (drastically), anxiety, brain fog, and overall energy levels. I had spent so much time and money on every other *fix* but this seems to be the key. Feeling grateful :)
I finally tried acupuncture for my insomnia and I was pleasantly surprised! Might be worth giving it a shot
One useful way I helped resolve my insomnia is this: when I would wake up at 2 or 3 a.m I would then get up and begin my day. I’d be in the gym at 5 a.m. Fill your day with fun stuff. Go into a sauna. Do hot yoga. Meal prep. Literally keep yourself moving. Then try to go to bed at your desired bedtime. When you wake up regardless of the time get up and do it again. I have many other issue but I ended up doing ketamine therapy which helped my brain and body settle down.
What really triggered my insomnia was getting dumped out of nowhere. I really liked this guy and one day he “loved” me and the next he didn’t want to see me anymore. I had such serious mindfuck, for the first time in my life I had insomnia.
I’m sure you tried these things. But these are some things that helped me. Also trying some magnesium before bed could help.
You were on such a high for wedding planning for so long your body is coming down from it all. After I got married in 2022 I had the worst wedding blues because I wasn’t focused on working and planning 24/7. Hoping the best for you and that it starts to get better.
When this happens to me, I put on this podcast called” as you wish radio”. And I put my phone under my pillow and listen in one ear, sleeping on my side. And I never make it through an episode, it puts me to sleep
Sending love ☀️☀️💗
Hi! I struggled with this for about 6 months in 2022. The cure for me was going on anxiety meds and regularly talking to a psychologist. I sleep like a baby now and can fall asleep anywhere at any time. I take Fluoxetine and it has worked great for me.
I’m sorry 😞 I would say check your hormones I had something similar and my mom as well and it was estrogen and cortisol! My holistic doctor help me a lot and it’s hard not to sleep I feel for you and praying you recover and get heal fast! ❤
Hi, Hannah, my aquarius sister.❤️ In my humble opinion, we all don't need a lot of goofy, fun, carefree vlogs now. We need more reality like this. From a woman, who (oh my God😱) fighting insomnia for 11 years, I want to say BIG thank you for your honesty. It really helps to feel not so lonely in the fight for own normal existence when your life is fucking good in one minute, then rolling down to the hell because of a couple of sleepless nights. Thank you, you're angel. I hope you'll be fine soon.❤️❤❤🙏
P.S. Sorry for mistakes, english is not my native language
Im so sorry for your issue ❤️ thank you for sharing. Have you ever seen those spikey "accupressure" mats? They can help with deep sleep. Lay on it in like a sports bra so it touches your skin for like 15 min before bed, maybe with some chamomile tea. The mat knocks me out into a deep rest. I just thought I would share if you havent tried. ❤️
I was like that for years too, and I was always thin and everything and didn’t know what was going on with me. I could even take Benadryl and that fall asleep. I was finally diagnosed with Graves’ disease or hyper thyroid. Have you had your thyroid checked recently that place a huge part in your sleep.
Hi Hannah, I wonder if traveling and all the time changes have an effect in your sleep! I hope it gets better, sending you all the love ❤
Hi Hannah, l have had insomnia for years. Appears to run in my family. I have had some success with a low dose of amitriptyline, and naturalremedies such as ashwagandha, valerian and magnesium and this will sound lame but when all that fails I count from 300 backwards and almost always fall asleep. Yoga nidra might be worth looking into. I also use a magnesium spay on the soles of my feet. I hope you find a solution. Thanks for posting about this issue ❤.
3 Magnesium every night before bed!! I suggest the Megafood brand, I struggled for so long.
I wish I could hug you!!! Honestly, the only thing that helped me was getting prescribed Ambien. It really takes your quality of life away and you can’t enjoy the things you normally would. It’s awful.
ive struggled with insomnia literally my whole life and nothing has helped at all 😩 when you started crying i did too because i cry when talking about this no one gets it but not being able to sleep is so so awful
Hey Hannah 🤍 what app or youtuber do you use for meditation? I been wanting to start doing that too but not sure where to start.
I’ve also been dealing with insomnia since I was a child so I completely empathize. The only thing that seems to help for me is making sure I eat enough during the day. But I’ve never slept for more than 5 hours tbh. :/
I’m sorry you’re dealing with that! I started meditating recently and I really like the RUclips channel Great Meditation
I’ve struggled with insomnia my whole life, one night of bad sleep will sometimes trigger a whole month of no sleep. I have to be very careful not to get overtired and over stressed as that seems to trigger a night of bad sleep. Recently to break a bad spell of insomnia I took two melatonin pills and that seemed to do the trick, one never did anything. Travel is a big trigger for me too, routine and going to bed at the same time every day is the best way that I have found to avoid insomnia episodes, so obviously travel is just not helpful in that sense. I have yet to work out how to resolve travel triggered insomnia, I’m starting to travel with my own pillow to at least help make sleep conditions consistent.
I have insomnia as well due to my anxiety. I use Doxylamine succinate. You can get it over the counter. I also put on relaxing sleep music at night to help me focus on something other than my thoughts. Also try not to look at the clock at night because the later it gets and you are not asleep, the more anxious you will get. Hope this helps ❤
Over the counter..dors it have any other names? Never seen that before
It’s called unisom as well
I am sorry you're going through this.