Insomnia is a very common condition with anxiety sufferers. We always are tired and exhausted but at the same time can’t sleep at all. I remember in my anxiety days; I just want to return to my bed. In my mind, I picture myself crashing down onto my mattress, wrap myself in blanket and would sleep for days. But once that time comes, I would be extremely wired and awake. My mind would not stop racing. I would start scanning my body for sensations and symptoms. This would go on until I’m so exhausted and fall asleep, if I’m lucky, for a couple of hours.
The lack of sleep would guarantee me a new day with more tiredness and exhaustion. My eyes would be blood shot red. I wouldn’t be able to focus on any task. My energy level is close to 0, all the time.
I tried to look for ways to help me sleep. Meditation, medication, acupuncture, oriental herbs, alpha delta beta waves music you name it. Nothing worked! If I got lucky, one of those methods would help me fall asleep for a couple of hours and I would be wide awake again.
This went on for years. Until I found A.C.E.R., I stopped trying to fall asleep. I accepted that I would need to work on my anxiety, and I wouldn’t be able to sleep for the time being. Whenever I found myself not being to sleep, I got up and start reading or working around the house. I would start writing journal. And giving up the fight magically took the struggle away from my battle with insomnia. By doing so, my stress level started to drop, and I was able to get more and lengthier sleep. I still felt like crap, but at last, I found hope.