Learn more about insomnia and the importance of sleep. Hear about my struggles and try the hypnosis that helped me to finally sleep!

Today I'd like to share a little bit about my personal struggle with insomnia and feature a very talented and special professional at the forefront of her field. 

Please note - Nothing in this post is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  I am sharing my personal experience along with information I've sourced and cited at the end of this post. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

Insomnia

I've been struggling with insomnia for so long I can't even remember when it began.  Insomnia is defined as "difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep."  Does this sound like you?  I'm the type that has difficulty falling asleep.  And I'm not alone.  Insomnia is the most common sleeping disorder.  95% of Americans say they've had insomnia at some point in their life. People struggling with insomnia commonly experience fatigue, low energy, difficulty concentrating, mood disturbances and decreased performance in work or at school as a result. Insomnia is classified as either acute or chronic.  Acute insomnia is common and often caused by life circumstances like stress at work, family pressures, or a traumatic event.  This type of insomnia has affected most people at one time or another and usually resolves on its own.  For insomnia to be considered chronic it has to happen much more frequently and be an ongoing problem.  Chronic insomnia can be caused by any number of factors, and determining the cause can be more complicated. 

Benefits of Sleep

Sleep can be disrupted by changes in one's environment, unhealthy sleep habits, shift work, clinical disorders, medications, diet and more. Research has shown that sleep is incredibly important.  When we sleep our brains process our short-term memories and consolidates them into long-term memories.  Our bodies use sleep to restore and rejuvenate our bodies.  It's when we grow muscle, repair our tissues, and synthesize hormones.  Failure to get enough quality sleep disturbs all of these processes. So what did I do when I couldn't fall asleep?  I decided to try something I'd seen my friend Grace posting about on Facebook.  I first met Grace Smith in 2006 when we were students together on Semester at Sea, a multi-country study abroad program on a ship open to students of all majors, emphasizing global comparative study. 

Grace Smith Hypnosis

Nowadays, Grace is a pioneer in the Hypnotherapy field.  Her website is the world's #1 hypnosis and hypnotherapy resource.  Her private clients including Fortune 500 CEOs, A-list celebrities, Olympic athletes and government officials. She is the author of the Amazon #1 best-seller, “Close Your Eyes, Get Free: Use Self-Hypnosis to Reduce Stress, Quit Bad Habits, and Achieve Greater Relaxation and Focus.”  Grace’s work has been featured in The Atlantic, Forbes, Entrepreneur, InStyle, Marie Clarie, Buzzfeed, Bustle, MindBodyGreen, She Knows and dozens of podcasts. She has been a guest on The Dr. Oz Show and is a regular guest on CBS’s hit show, The Doctors.  So she's the real deal.

Grace says, "Hypnosis is simply meditation with a goal," and my goal was to fall asleep!

Hypnosis Review

I was skeptical at first. The idea of hypnosis made me think of fortune tellers and circus tricks. But the science and medical research behind hypnosis is legit. More importantly, I couldn't believe the results! I was asleep before the hypnosis even ended! I do try to proactively manage my insomnia by making healthy lifestyle choices - incorporating movement into my day, getting regular massage, limiting my screen time (when possible) and avoiding caffeine and other stimulating food/drinks in the evening. But there are still times when I get into bed and my mind is racing. Or I've had a particularly stressful or busy day. Having Grace's hypnosis to help quiet my thoughts and transition me into sleep can make all the difference. I am also a subscriber to Grace Notes - a daily reminder that arrives in my inbox every morning. Upon awakening I can read my new note and shift my mental state into one that is more present, happier, calmer, and more grateful. 

Want to try Hypnosis?

If you are interested in trying hypnosis, I recommend beginning with Grace's "Hypnotherapy for Insomnia." Check it out on her YouTube Channel here.

Learn More About Hypnosis

You can learn more about Grace and hypnosis on her website, subscribe to her YouTube Channel - GraceSmithTV, or follow her on Instagram @gracesmithtv.

Massage for Insomnia

If you are struggling with insomnia, consider massage.  Massage has been shown to improve sleep quality.  It stimulates serotonin production (a neurotransmitter that helps you feel calm), which is later converted to Melatonin (a hormone known for maintaining circadian rhythms - the body's natural internal sleep clock).  Since COVID-19 closures has made a visit to a licensed massage therapist almost impossible right now, consider enlisting the aid of someone at home.  According to the National Sleep Foundation, a short, gentle, three-minute back rub from your partner can help you log more than 35 extra minutes of sleep! 

Massage at Home

Keep it easy and simple.  Lie in a comfortable position on your side or stomach and have your loved one make slow, circular motions with their palm or fingertips on your back.  Don't forget to reciprocate! - A study out of Northumbria University found that both receiving and giving a massage can lead to reduced stress and improved well-being in both participants.

Enjoy and sleep well!

The statistics, definitions and quotes used in this post can be found at the following sources. My opinions and experiences are my own.

• Chawla, Jasvinder MD, MBA. (2020). "Insomnia."  Medscape.

• Harris, Katie.  "Sleep and Massage." Sleep Advisor.

• Harvard Medical School.  "Sleep and Mental Health."  Harvard Health Publishing. 

• March, Bridget. (2018). "Is massage the key to better sleep?" 

• Harpers Bazaar. The National Sleep Foundation. "Can Massage Help You Sleep?"

• The National Sleep Foundation.  "Summary of Findings." 

• Smith, Grace. Grace Space Hypnosis.

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with this company.  I received no compensation for this post or for my endorsement of their product.  I just love good stuff and am always happy to share!