Insomnia, or being unable to sleep at night, is one of the
most frustrating things I have had to deal with.
Overwhelmed by fatigue and so sleepy that I could
barely keep my eyes open, I would crawl into bed at a good
hour, looking forward to a good night’s sleep. My mind
was at peace, content, even empty of thought - yet I would
lie there, awake, hour after hour. Sleep simply would not
come.
As this continued, I began to crawl into bed in an
anxious state of mind. I knew I desperately needed sleep
but was worried it would not come. This tension made sleep
even more evasive. My heart raced, my mind developed a
habit of glancing about fearfully, which often trigged panic
attacks.
As insomnia became more frequent, I tried to wait
patiently for sleep to come. Yet as the hours continued to
tick by I became more and more frustrated. My body was
telling me that I needed sleep. I was so tired that I could not
keep my eyes open, so why was I lying awake hour after
hour? I would pray, beg, and plead with the Lord to give
me sleep, quoting scriptures at Him, trying to convince Him
to stretch out His hand or speak a word over me to put me
to sleep. Then, after lying awake for five or six hours,
frustration would blossom into rage. I lost count of how
many times I shook my fist at the ceiling and said, “Jesus,
why do you just sit there! Can’t you see that I need sleep?
Why don’t you act? Don’t you care?”
As well as getting angry with God, I became
enraged with my mind and body. What was wrong with
them, couldn’t they see what they were doing to me? I was
so tired and sleepy yet my useless, stupid mind simply
would not shut off! It was as though my body conspired
against me, and I hated it, I wrote in my diary.
Following these sessions of rage against God and
myself, came anguish, repentence and guilt. I knew I should
not react like this, but I needed sleep!
Eventually the insomnia became so bad that for
five days I would fall asleep when the sun came up, and on
the sixth, sleep would not come at all. On those days I felt
robbed, cheated, betrayed. When I rose, I felt dirty and
unclean. Then the cycle started again.
Finally, due to a number of factors, I fell into
strong depression towards the end of 1989. Panic attacks
afflicted me 24 hours a day, my mind never ceased to churn
through terrifying fearful thoughts, and insomnia continued
to afflict me.
Attitudes We Cannot Afford to Have Towards Insomnia
35
As you can see from what I have shared above, the ways I
reacted to insomnia made it worse. These negative reactions
of fearing or fighting it released negative adrenalin into my
system, elevated my anxiety levels and made it harder to
sleep. What a vicious cycle – insomnia begets tension and
fatigue, which in turn make insomnia worse, which causes
further tension and fatigue.
Here are some reactions we cannot afford to have towards
insomnia:
1. going to bed fearful that we may not sleep
2. becoming frustrated when we cannot sleep
3. worrying how this lack of sleep will affect us tomorrow
4. letting the frustration boil over into rage
Helpful Attitudes Towards Insomnia
Here is a list of what reactions we need to have towards
insomnia.
1. when we go to bed, be prepared to stay awake all night
2. be content to stay awake all night instead of getting
frustrated or angry
3. recognize that resting contentedly all night in bed, even
without sleeping, is still beneficial
4. if we don’t sleep tonight, there is always tomorrow night.
Some Things that May Help with Mild Insomnia
In my dealings with insomnia over the decades, I have
learned a few tricks that can help alleviate mild insomnia.
1. a glass of hot milk, or a bowl of hot cereal, taken
immediately before bed, can be helpful
2. if still awake two to three hours later, have another glass
of hot milk or cereal
3. regular exercise is crucial. This may be going on brisk
30-45 minute walks three times a week, or doing aerobics,
swimming, jogging, etc. Working out with light handweights
several days a week also helps. (Small note - avoid
the above types of exercise near bedtime!)
4. eat a good, balanced diet, with lots of fruit. Drink plenty
of water
5. if you must have a nap during the day, make it a 15
minute power nap, no longer. Set an alarm.
6. listening to soothing or relaxing music immediately
before going to bed can also be helpful.
Another point I would like to make is that we humans have
a tendency to take on too many responsibilities and get
involved with too many activities. Sometimes it is good to
take a step back, sit at Christ’s feet and wait on Him, and
then prayfully examine our life. Are we doing too much?
Are there some aspects of our life that are placing us under
pressure unnecessarily? Are there some things that we can
quit or that can be put off until next year? Frantic, stressful
lifestyles can cause insomnia or make it worse. I learned
this lesson the hard way. (Twice…)
Severe Insomnia
If insomnia has become so bad that we cannot sleep night
after night, (this is typical for those suffering from
depression), seek medical assistance - we must not struggle
through it by ourselves. A doctor can help determine
insomnia’s causes (there are many different causes) and
recommend medical treatment. For someone suffering from
strong depression, sleep is a necessary part of the healing
process. I am so glad that after three to four months of
trying to cope with depression and insomnia on my own, I
finally saw a doctor and went onto anti-depressant
medication that included a mild tranquilizer. The
combination of the medication and being able to sleep again
were important factors in dulling depression’s effects,
which helped me to concentrate on the task of recovery.
It was not until seventeen years after insomnia
began to plague me that I discovered that I was suffering
from complex partial epilepsy. This typically begins to
become apparent in one’s late teens, and I believe this was
the primary cause of the insomnia. (However, the way I
reacted to it during the first few years made it much worse.)
I no longer take anti-depressant medication, only
epilepsy anti-seizure meds. On most nights, I fall asleep
easily, but several times a year I still have those sleepless
nights. Instead of getting frustrated or angry, this is what I
say to myself when it happens, “If I stay awake all night -
that’s fine. I’ll make myself comfortable and snuggle up in
the blankets. If I fall asleep eventually - great! If not, that’s
fine too. Resting all night in bed is still beneficial.” I submit
my mind to Christ, dwell in His peace and take refuge in
His presence. I have learned to be content, whatever my
circumstances, including those sleepless nights.
Philippians 4:12-13 ‘I know what it is to be in need, and I
know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of
being content in any and every situation, whether well fed
or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do
everything through him who gives me strength.’
Colossians 3:15 ‘Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace.
And be thankful.’
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in
everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus. (Special thanks to a reader for
reminding where to find this verse!)
most frustrating things I have had to deal with.
Overwhelmed by fatigue and so sleepy that I could
barely keep my eyes open, I would crawl into bed at a good
hour, looking forward to a good night’s sleep. My mind
was at peace, content, even empty of thought - yet I would
lie there, awake, hour after hour. Sleep simply would not
come.
As this continued, I began to crawl into bed in an
anxious state of mind. I knew I desperately needed sleep
but was worried it would not come. This tension made sleep
even more evasive. My heart raced, my mind developed a
habit of glancing about fearfully, which often trigged panic
attacks.
As insomnia became more frequent, I tried to wait
patiently for sleep to come. Yet as the hours continued to
tick by I became more and more frustrated. My body was
telling me that I needed sleep. I was so tired that I could not
keep my eyes open, so why was I lying awake hour after
hour? I would pray, beg, and plead with the Lord to give
me sleep, quoting scriptures at Him, trying to convince Him
to stretch out His hand or speak a word over me to put me
to sleep. Then, after lying awake for five or six hours,
frustration would blossom into rage. I lost count of how
many times I shook my fist at the ceiling and said, “Jesus,
why do you just sit there! Can’t you see that I need sleep?
Why don’t you act? Don’t you care?”
As well as getting angry with God, I became
enraged with my mind and body. What was wrong with
them, couldn’t they see what they were doing to me? I was
so tired and sleepy yet my useless, stupid mind simply
would not shut off! It was as though my body conspired
against me, and I hated it, I wrote in my diary.
Following these sessions of rage against God and
myself, came anguish, repentence and guilt. I knew I should
not react like this, but I needed sleep!
Eventually the insomnia became so bad that for
five days I would fall asleep when the sun came up, and on
the sixth, sleep would not come at all. On those days I felt
robbed, cheated, betrayed. When I rose, I felt dirty and
unclean. Then the cycle started again.
Finally, due to a number of factors, I fell into
strong depression towards the end of 1989. Panic attacks
afflicted me 24 hours a day, my mind never ceased to churn
through terrifying fearful thoughts, and insomnia continued
to afflict me.
Attitudes We Cannot Afford to Have Towards Insomnia
35
As you can see from what I have shared above, the ways I
reacted to insomnia made it worse. These negative reactions
of fearing or fighting it released negative adrenalin into my
system, elevated my anxiety levels and made it harder to
sleep. What a vicious cycle – insomnia begets tension and
fatigue, which in turn make insomnia worse, which causes
further tension and fatigue.
Here are some reactions we cannot afford to have towards
insomnia:
1. going to bed fearful that we may not sleep
2. becoming frustrated when we cannot sleep
3. worrying how this lack of sleep will affect us tomorrow
4. letting the frustration boil over into rage
Helpful Attitudes Towards Insomnia
Here is a list of what reactions we need to have towards
insomnia.
1. when we go to bed, be prepared to stay awake all night
2. be content to stay awake all night instead of getting
frustrated or angry
3. recognize that resting contentedly all night in bed, even
without sleeping, is still beneficial
4. if we don’t sleep tonight, there is always tomorrow night.
Some Things that May Help with Mild Insomnia
In my dealings with insomnia over the decades, I have
learned a few tricks that can help alleviate mild insomnia.
1. a glass of hot milk, or a bowl of hot cereal, taken
immediately before bed, can be helpful
2. if still awake two to three hours later, have another glass
of hot milk or cereal
3. regular exercise is crucial. This may be going on brisk
30-45 minute walks three times a week, or doing aerobics,
swimming, jogging, etc. Working out with light handweights
several days a week also helps. (Small note - avoid
the above types of exercise near bedtime!)
4. eat a good, balanced diet, with lots of fruit. Drink plenty
of water
5. if you must have a nap during the day, make it a 15
minute power nap, no longer. Set an alarm.
6. listening to soothing or relaxing music immediately
before going to bed can also be helpful.
Another point I would like to make is that we humans have
a tendency to take on too many responsibilities and get
involved with too many activities. Sometimes it is good to
take a step back, sit at Christ’s feet and wait on Him, and
then prayfully examine our life. Are we doing too much?
Are there some aspects of our life that are placing us under
pressure unnecessarily? Are there some things that we can
quit or that can be put off until next year? Frantic, stressful
lifestyles can cause insomnia or make it worse. I learned
this lesson the hard way. (Twice…)
Severe Insomnia
If insomnia has become so bad that we cannot sleep night
after night, (this is typical for those suffering from
depression), seek medical assistance - we must not struggle
through it by ourselves. A doctor can help determine
insomnia’s causes (there are many different causes) and
recommend medical treatment. For someone suffering from
strong depression, sleep is a necessary part of the healing
process. I am so glad that after three to four months of
trying to cope with depression and insomnia on my own, I
finally saw a doctor and went onto anti-depressant
medication that included a mild tranquilizer. The
combination of the medication and being able to sleep again
were important factors in dulling depression’s effects,
which helped me to concentrate on the task of recovery.
It was not until seventeen years after insomnia
began to plague me that I discovered that I was suffering
from complex partial epilepsy. This typically begins to
become apparent in one’s late teens, and I believe this was
the primary cause of the insomnia. (However, the way I
reacted to it during the first few years made it much worse.)
I no longer take anti-depressant medication, only
epilepsy anti-seizure meds. On most nights, I fall asleep
easily, but several times a year I still have those sleepless
nights. Instead of getting frustrated or angry, this is what I
say to myself when it happens, “If I stay awake all night -
that’s fine. I’ll make myself comfortable and snuggle up in
the blankets. If I fall asleep eventually - great! If not, that’s
fine too. Resting all night in bed is still beneficial.” I submit
my mind to Christ, dwell in His peace and take refuge in
His presence. I have learned to be content, whatever my
circumstances, including those sleepless nights.
Philippians 4:12-13 ‘I know what it is to be in need, and I
know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of
being content in any and every situation, whether well fed
or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do
everything through him who gives me strength.’
Colossians 3:15 ‘Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace.
And be thankful.’
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in
everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus. (Special thanks to a reader for
reminding where to find this verse!)
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