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HYPNOSIS FOR SLEEP ANXIETY: HOW DOES IT WORK?

July 10th, 2020

Do you ever get ready for bed, but instead of drifting off for a restful 8-hours, stress and anxiety seem to set in?

For many people, trying to get to sleep can be a nightly battle.

Sleep anxiety hypnosis can help by using two key methods:

Identifies the repetitive thought patterns you may experience whilst in bed or preparing for sleep.
Gives you a bespoke script of hypnotic suggestions to re-write these negative thoughts, so that your mind can expect and allow deep sleep.

IS SLEEP ANXIETY A THING?

The link between anxiety and sleep is well-documented.

A common complaint you’ll hear from someone who’s facing sleep challenges is:

“This anxiety is giving me insomnia, and the insomnia is giving me more anxiety.”

Research shows that between a quarter and a fifth of Americans suffer from a sleep disorder.

The UK insomnia statistics show a similar trend.

I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you why sleep is so important.

Sleeping well supports many aspects of wellbeing. This includes cognitive function, mood, and physical health.

Most people will experience a disruption in their sleep at some point in their life. After all, stressful life events are unavoidable at times.

Being underslept can often lead to feelings of irritability, less focus, and a foggier brain.

Sleep anxiety makes sense, then.

You want to sleep well because you want to feel well during the day, too.

The issue is when the mind becomes hyper-aware — analysing and worrying about not getting the optimal amount of sleep.

This overactivity in the mind is counter-productive, as it actually makes you less likely to be able to fall asleep.

HOW TO OVERCOME SLEEP ANXIETY?

You know how you can be laying in bed with thought after thought running through your head?

“If I can’t sleep soon, I’ll be exhausted tomorrow.”

“I might have to cancel my plans.”

“What’s wrong with me?”

These kinds of thoughts can lead to feelings of stress, tension, and anxiety, keeping you awake into the early hours.

So, how can you overcome this sleep anxiety?

In sleep anxiety hypnosis, the therapy will help you identify the repetitive thought loops that keep your brain in an overactive, anxious state.

Once you and your hypnotherapist have agreed on the main thoughts that are keeping your mind in this state of overactivity, the practice can begin.

Hypnosis isn’t about making you unconscious.

You are in control and will be fully aware of everything that goes on in the sessions.

Hypnotherapy guides you into a deeply relaxed state and helps your mind become less reactive to the stimuli that lead to sleep anxiety.

These stimuli can include the thought loops mentioned above, negative emotions, or sensations in the body.

Over time, as the reactivity to certain stimuli reduces, you should find that the feeling of anxiety at bedtime lessons, too.

If an anxious thought does pop up, you’ll be able to identify the thought more quickly and let it go.

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE? OPTIONS FOR SLEEP ANXIETY HYPNOSIS

There are three options you can choose from if you wish to try hypnosis for sleep anxiety.

1. Book a video appointment

At City Hypnosis, we find that online hypnosis is just as effective as face-to-face appointments.

Some people find that putting on headphones and being able to lay on their own bed or sofa is even more relaxing.

Does this sound like the best option for you?

Email info@cityhypnosis.com to book an online hypnotherapy session.

2. Book a face-to-face appointment

I’m based in central London (UK). If this is an accessible location for you to schedule an in-person appointment, here’s our address:

25 Southampton Buildings,
London
WC2A, 1AL

(1-minute walk from Chancery Lane tube – take the Staple Inn pathway by Cafe Nero. We are situated opposite the Black Sheep Cafe)

3. Buy an audio download

If you would prefer to purchase a hypnosis audio download for help with insomnia, I have one available on this page.

All you will need to do is register for a free account and complete the purchase.

We will then be able to send you the audio file download, so you can listen to this before or as you go to sleep.

BONUS: QUICK TIPS TO TRY TONIGHT FOR SLEEP ANXIETY

Affirmations: Remind yourself that you are comfortable and safe. If sleep comes along, great. If not, you can still let your muscles relax and let your eyes feel heavy.

Limit coffee in the afternoon and evening: Caffeine consumption in the afternoon has been found to disrupt sleep. If you drink coffee, try to limit this to the first few hours after waking up.

Try sleeping in a different location: If you feel a particular sense of anxiety from not being able to sleep in your usual location, you may benefit from a change of setting. A spare bedroom or living room with a sofa bed may serve as a welcome change for one night.

Forgiveness: Accept that you don’t need to be at 100% tomorrow. If your energy levels are lower than normal, that’s okay. Remind yourself that you will still be able to take care of most of your responsibilities.

This article is co-authored by:

Declan Davey

Health Copywriter