Finding Rest: A Frightening Solution to Insomnia

Finding Rest: A Frightening Solution to Insomnia

That insomnia author, having suffered for decades from the debilitating condition, was finally brimming with fresh ideas after unlocking this unusual secret to restful slumber. During a freak American horror story binge, they passed out at an alarming rate. This specifically inspired them to think back on the times they’ve had issues sleeping and how they’ve beat those battles.

Read on for a firsthand account of how years-long struggles with insomnia left author Mallory Smart feeling both defeated and hopeless. They thought that sleep was actually an elusive state altogether, which couldn’t be easily induced at will. They liked to call it a Rubik’s cube from hell, or a receding hairline—both difficult and frustratingly out of reach.

Continuing the quest for solutions, the author explored varied approaches and methods. During their time there, they learned an interesting approach employed by the Special Air Service (aka SAS) to help facilitate more effective sleep patterns. Through this approach, I learned the value of allowing the body to be at ease and using gentle, intentional breath. In light of that, the author experienced an inexplicable wave of motivation. They took to this technique instantly, learning to work the facial muscles before everything else, encouraging relaxation first.

As they worked the tension out of each muscle group, tensions were released, presenting a golden intervention that provided a glimpse of hope. They really helped calm and prepare us for the relaxation. They reigned in my busy monkey brain and prepared me for the journey into dreamland. This easy but powerful technique was a far cry from their old mindsets of sleep as an impossible goal.

Like many of you, the author used to lie awake in bed. Frustration gave way to despair as they fought to get any sleep at all. As they used the SAS approach, they had a change in heart. They made a deliberate effort to loosen their bodies. This easy fix provided them with surprising agency over their sleep schedules.

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