Why Can't I Sleep?

We’ve all been there – stress, worries, young (or even older) kids getting in the way of our eight hours nightly kip. It sucks doesn’t it?

But why do we lose the ability to sleep, and what can we do about it?

We all know the importance of natural quality sleep every night. It restores our bodily systems and mind so we are ready to attack the day ahead. Just read Matthew Walker’s Why We Sleep to discover the importance of sleep to just about everything. It is the most important form of selfcare.

One theory is the reptilian brain is constantly scanning for danger and will alert us to a fight, flight or freeze response. It will produce adrenaline so we are ready to outrun that sabre tooth tiger or hunt that woolly mammoth. But if that’s the case, we should be able to return to sleep once the danger has passed. Why do I stay awake even though I am not in any mortal danger?

As a sufferer of Bipolar Affective Disorder I have my own unique challenges when it comes to sleep. I’m currently averaging about three to four hours of quality sleep a night. It’s enough to get by, but I can see myself heading towards adrenal fatigue again (take it from me, it’s not fun). I’m not going through anything new by the way – I’ve been here many times before. The best way I can describe it is that it’s like telling a kid at Christmas to go to sleep so Santa can visit – that kid ain’t sleeping anytime soon! I’m excited about a number of new opportunities and an upcoming much needed holiday in the sun so my brain just won’t switch off.

To combat it, I’ve tried everything the sleep hygiene book can throw at me. Massages, hot baths, smelly oils and candles (Neom is a current favourite of mine), not eating before bed time. I’ve tried meditation and prayer, but I can’t help but think of something else after a couple of minutes. I listen to a lot of music on YT music (the best music and video streaming app out there in my humble opinion). I have curated playlists for every mood, including a lovely instrumentals and movie OST list that I find especially relaxing to listen to. Nothing seems to allow me to fall asleep again after a few short hours. Strangely I don’t feel that tired though, so maybe its not as huge an issue as I make it out to be.

Anyway, that’s my story, hope you’re all sleeping well and ready to start the week with a bang. Any thoughts or suggestions on what to try would be more than welcome, as are comments and feedback on this article.

I’m off to bed to try and nap (or stare at four walls for a few hours waiting for the rest of London to wake up). Goodbye and good luck for now.